| Soil erosion has occurred for over 450 million years. | | | | studied over short and long-term spans. The main |
| Erosion is the result of displacement of soil, mud, | | | | impact of soil erosion is the reduction of soil quality. |
| stones, rock and other particles by water, ice, rivers, | | | | Crops are reliant on the upper topsoil, which is the |
| streams, ocean currents, wind or living organisms. | | | | part most susceptible to erosion from wind and |
| Gravity helps in soil erosion. Erosion is a natural | | | | water. The erosion of the topsoil causes loss of |
| process but time and again is made worse by human | | | | nutrient rich upper layers of soil, as well as the |
| in the name of deforestation, overgrazing, over | | | | reduction in water retention capacity of this eroded |
| construction and building of roads. Excessive erosion | | | | soil. Erosion removes the 'cream of the soil'. In |
| leads to damage of the ecosystem, loss of topsoil | | | | affluent countries this problem is combated with the |
| and water sedimentation. The effects of erosion are | | | | use of artificial fertilizers and technology but in poorer |
| made worse due to overpopulation. Soil erosion can | | | | countries this is not an option. Loss of nutrient rich |
| be minimized by improved land use techniques such | | | | soil is a long time problem. Globally, the threat to long- |
| the building of terraces, tree planting, the use of | | | | term sustainability of agricultural productivity is the |
| cover crops and minimal deforestation. | | | | moist serious consequence of erosion. |
| Generally soil erosion occurs at the about the same | | | | The relationship between soil erosion and crop |
| rate as soil is formed, but increased soil erosion at an | | | | productivity is not an exact science due to the large |
| alarming rate has lead to land left unprotected, | | | | variability in outcomes. Monitoring the effects on yield |
| exposed and vulnerable. In addition to man's | | | | is hampered since erosion is a gradual process and its |
| irresponsible actions, naturally occurring rainfalls or | | | | effect on yield is often obscured. The destructive |
| windstorms make erosion a huge environmental | | | | impact of erosion is well known in developing |
| concern. Erosion occurs in both agricultural and | | | | countries such as Africa and Asia but even in |
| farming areas as well as in the natural environment. | | | | developed countries this is also a huge environmental |
| Effects of erosion impact 2 places, on-site and | | | | concern. Erosion caused by water is a serious issue in |
| off-site. | | | | Austria, New Zealand, Eastern and Southern Europe |
| Tillage erosion occurs with the introduction of today's | | | | as well as some parts of the USA. |
| powerful agricultural equipments. Soil erosion must be | | | | |