Soil Erosion

1. Let’s look at Wind Erosion
Erosion where
it starts
Erosion –
The movement of topsoil and soil Iitter) from one place to
another by water and wind (Natural and human causes)

2. •Uncovered soil
•Plowed soil
•Wind
“It takes hundreds of years to replenish 2.5 cm of
topsoil.” Miller GT

3. Water Erosion – loss of soil – from farm fields
Great plans of the US has lost 1/3 of its topsoil in
150 years since the start of farming.

4. Sheet and Rill Erosion
“The plains of the US has lost 1/3 of its topsoil in 150
years since first plowed.” Miller, GT

5. Rivers carry sediment, eroded soil, especially when
storms occur…

6. Here’s erosion at the end……
An estuary from space…..
Notice….
What are the
implications of
this?

7. Gully
Erosion
“15 – 20 centimeters of topsoil is all that stands between
much of the world and mass starvation.” Miller, GT

8. Gully erosion

9. Erosion in Ethiopia
“15 – 20 centimeters of topsoil is all that stands between
much of the world and mass starvation.” Miller, GT

10. Erosion, can be slow, inexorable or a
Quick Slumping of land

11. Slumping of land

12. Slumping of land

13. Slumping of land…….can be massive

14. Slumping of land….from the air.

15. Slumping of land…..all over the place, from the
air.
Notice the effect of deforestation.

16. Erosion of soil from the air

17. Erosion of soil from the air
Montana farm field

18. With its rivers running blood red and staining the
surrounding Indian Ocean, astronauts have remarked that it
looks as if Madagascar is bleeding to death.