Soil erosion is caused by both natural processes like wind and water, as well as human activities such as deforestation, overgrazing, monoculture farming, and removing windbreaks. This accelerated erosion decreases soil fertility and crop production. Several methods can limit soil erosion, including terracing to hold soil and water, contour ploughing across slopes, planting shelter belts to protect soil, using strip farming to minimize bare soil, and installing stone lines along contours to reduce runoff.

1. Soil Erosion Causes and Solutions.

3. Once the soil has been left bare it is vulnerable to erosion Ploughing - ploughing with machinery compacts (squashes) the soil. This creates channels for rapid water flow, especially on slopes. Deforestation- when trees are deforested this means the roots holding soil are removed which then leaves the bare top soil vulnerable to extensive wind and water damage. Monoculture/ Fertilisers Soils are not given time to recover naturally when soil is used intensively.

4. Removal of hedgerows and windbreaks makes to exposed soil vulnerable to wind erosion Overgrazing When large numbers of animals are grazed in a small area the vegetation is removed faster than it can re-grow- leaving the top soil exposed to the elements Causes of soil erosion

9. How can soil erosion be limited? Stone Lines (Magic Stones)- these are put in place following contour lines- meaning run off is reduced and soil can be collected and redistributed. This is a cheap and easy method especially suited to LEDC

10. Summary Causes of soil erosion Deforestation Ploughing Monoculture Removal of hedges Overgrazing. Methods used to limit soil erosion Terracing Contour ploughing Shelter belts Strip faming Magic stones