Soil Erosion.
Soil erosion is a process by which topsoil is gradually removed (carried away) from one place, transported and then deposited to another place by the action of water, wind, animals and human beings.
Sheet erosion.
Sheet erosion refers to a thin and uniform layer of mowing water.
Sheet erosion occurs when a thin layer of soil is removed uniformly by surface runoff on a flat or gently sloping bare land.
Sheet erosion occurs when there is heavy rainfall that falls for a short duration. In such a situation, soil is unable to absorb much of the rainwater which therefore starts flowing as surface runoff.
The heavy raindrops splash soil particles while surface runoff carries the lighter fine particles carrying away most of the nutrients.
It is not easy to notice sheet erosion because the topsoil is removed evenly. By the time sheet erosion is detected, most of the topsoil will have been lost.
Sheet erosion is very common on a recently cultivated land situated on smooth gentle slope.
Signs that indicate sheet erosion is taking place.
Stones below the topsoil are exposed.
Roots of plants including crops, grass and trees are exposed.
Eroded soil and crop remain are deposited at the lower areas of the slope.
Crop yields reduce season after season because of declining soil fertility.
Comments