Soil erosion is the process of removal of superficial layer of soil. Soil erosion removes Soil components.
HARMFUL EFFECTS OF SOIL EROSION
Soil fertility is lost Loss of soil ability to hold water and sediment Sediment runoff can pollute water courses and kill aquatic life
TYPES OF SOIL EROSION
Normal erosion: This is caused by the gradual removal of topsoil by natural processes. The rate of erosion is slow.
Accelerated erosion: This is caused by man made activities. In this case, the rate of erosion is much faster than the rate of formation of soil.
CAUSES OF SOIL EROSION
Water affects soil erosion in the form of rain, run-off, rapid flow or wave action
Wind: Wind is an important climate agent that carries away the fine particles of soil thereby contributing to soil erosion.
Biotic agents: Overgrazing, mining and deforestation are the major biotic agents causing soil erosion. These processes disturb the top soil thereby exposing the soil to various physical forces inducing erosion
Landslides cause soil erosion
Construction of dams, buildings and roads removes the protective vegetal cover leading to soil erosion
