Soil Erosion and Control Practices

Soil erosion involves a two-phase process of soil detachment and transport, both of which require an energy input. Much of the energy of erosion derives from water or wind flow over the soil surface or is provided by gravity. Although reducing the energy of erosive forces is the most effective way of controlling soil erosion, one consequence of reducing energy may be the deposition of any material already eroded. As eroded sediment is often enriched with nutrients, organic matter, and contaminants preferentially adsorbed onto the sediment surface, sediment deposition may allow contaminant release into the environment. It is necessary, therefore, to reduce erosive energy at the source areas of sediment rather than after the sediment has been detached and transported. Keywords: soil erosion; organic matter; erosive energy; wind erosion; erosion control