10 Soil Erosion Prevention Methods That Work

Preventing soil erosion begins with recognizing that, although it is a natural process, human activities exacerbate it. When land is cleared for farming or building, the natural protective covering is removed. Rain and wind will then carry the soil much faster away than otherwise. The UK loses 2.2 million tons of topsoil every year for this reason.

The consequences of disregarding soil erosion are severe. The most fertile soil in the landscape becomes less available for food production, as the field can produce food from less fertile soil. Rivers become filled with sediment, which destroys fish habitats. Animal homes disappear as the land becomes poorer. All these changes affect those who depend on healthy land and clean water.

Climate change exacerbates soil erosion. More intense storms create more powerful runoff. Longer periods of drought lead to dry conditions for soils, making them more vulnerable to wind erosion. We must take urgent steps to alleviate erosion if we are to have a better future. Such steps will protect ecosystems, farms, and water supplies.

Soil erosion occurs through natural forces and human actions. Wind and rain slowly change the shape of the land over hundreds of years. Man speeds up the process many times. When we clear forests or overfarm the land, we remove the natural protective cover that the land has. This exposes the bare soil to the destructive forces.

Soil quality affects how easily it erodes. Soil with less than 2% organic matter easily crumbles. Without the binding effect of decomposed plant material, the soil turns to dust. Good soil absorbs rainwater like a sponge. Poor soil washes away in storms, resulting in the formation of gullies.

The danger of erosion from slopes is multiplying rapidly. Water moves downhill more quickly. The greater the degree of slope, the greater the velocity of the runoff. On our land, having a 15% slope, soil erosion was three times more than on level land. Steeper slopes require immediate special protection measures.

Construction projects are urban disasters in the form of erosion. Bulldozers leave soils exposed for months. Rain runs toxic sediments down storm drains. I have seen lead and asbestos pollute water courses near building projects. Simple silt fences could save this pollution.

Soil loss through erosion spells disaster for farms. When topsoil is washed away, the layer of nutrient-rich soil in fields is lost. This causes crop yield losses of 20-50%, threatening food security. I have seen corn fields produce half of their normal yield after heavy erosion. Soil protection is food protection.

Soil erosion is polluting our waters with heavy sediment loads that blow into streams and ultimately into the ocean. As sedimentary loads choke fish gills, it chokes the life from rivers as water becomes muddy, killing the water plants that oxygenate the seas. My favorite trout stream has disappeared due to erosion resulting from upstream construction. Without controlling water runoff, life as we know it will no longer exist in our ecosystems.

Neglecting erosion results in $400 billion a year in the destruction of the global economy. This is equivalent to 0.5% of the world's GDP in restoring needless damage. Farmers experience a 15-25% in profit in areas that are eroded. Prevention costs much less than reconstructing the impaired land afterwards.

Climate change is mitigated through healthy soil, which facilitates the sequestration of carbon. A 1% decline in soil organic matter produces a loss of 8.5 tonnes of CO2 per hectare of soil. Good soil can also hold moisture during summer droughts, and I observe the higher moisture levels compared with the unprotected fields during dry summer rains. Erosion control creates climate-resilient landscapes.

Plants combat erosion in different ways, depending on the type of roots they have. The roots of grasses build dense mats of roots in the upper 30-60 cm of soil and form a dense network. The roots of trees go to a depth of 3 m usually, or more, and anchor slopes like living cables. The combination gives a multi-layered protection against the forces of erosion.

Leaves protect the soil from the destructive impact of raindrops. Canopies intercept raindrops, losing 80% of their kinetic energy before reaching the soil surface. Ground vegetation and litter catch the remaining force of the falling drops. This cover can reduce the soil erosion to 90% of that occurring on a bare soil surface during storms.

Vegetation increases the biodiversity, which is key to a healthy soil ecology. Flowering plants attract pollinators, including bees that are important for crops. Earthworms and nematodes thrive in vegetation, helping to improve soil structure. I have observed an increase in microorganisms underneath vegetation cover, ranging from 60% to 80% soil cover, compared to bare soil.

Select grasslands or forests that best suit your specific needs. Grasslands cover quickly and control surface erosion faster. Forests stabilize steep slopes for a long time after many years. If you need immediate results on moderate slopes, grasslands will be superior to forests.

Terracing changes steep inclinations into level farmland. Build stone or earth walls 0.6 to 1.2m high with 5 to 10m between terraces to stop the natural flow of water downhill. Beyond a grade of 20%, terracing is a necessity if 90% of the erosion is to be reduced. Below 15%, simple contour strips do quite well.

Select plants based on the steepness of the gradient. For slopes of 15-30%, use deep-rooted grasses, such as vetiver, planted every 3-5 meters along the contours. On steeper slopes, use shrub species, such as juniper, which provide better anchorage. I have found, however, that grasses have the advantage of rapid establishment. At the same time, shrubs produce stable results over the long term.

Carefully get the contrast between natural and structural solutions! Vegetative methods are $2-5 per linear meter but take 1-2 growing seasons. Structural solutions like gabion walls are $15-25 per meter but work immediately on 40%+ slopes. Always plant the cheaper plants first, or at least those that are less expensive, before spending money on stone.

The ultimate benefit is gained from hybridizing. Use geotextile mats combined with grass seeding for instant coverage of hazardous slopes. Hydroseeding applies seed-slurry mixtures to areas inaccessible to foot traffic. Physical means immediately result in a 75% reduction in erosion as the plants develop their roots for permanent protection.

Begin with contour farming, line up crops with slope contours using simple A-frame levels. This reduces runoff by 50-70% on gentle slopes with a gradient of up to 8%. Tools cost only $5-$ 10 per acre with immediate returns. Ideal for grain fields in areas of moderate rainfall.

Mulching protects soil immediately. Apply 4-6 tonnes/ha of straw or wood chips, achieving 99% erosion control versus bare soil. Costs $100-$ 300 per acre annually. Ideal for vegetable gardens and vineyards, especially during heavy rain seasons. Reapply after major storms.

Cover crops, such as winter rye, cost $15-$50 per acre, prevent 75% of erosion, and fix atmospheric nitrogen. They are planted after harvest in temperate climates. Full effect takes 1 season. Cut or plow before the return of crops. Essential in crop rotation for row crops.

For concentrated runoff, establish grassed waterways with native grasses. They will handle flows as high as 0.5m³/sec by filtering out 90% of the sediment. They cost approximately $10-30 per linear meter of installation. It may take as little as one growing season to establish a grassed waterway. Best placed where natural drainage paths intersect with agricultural land, to help prevent gully erosion.

24 billion tonnes of soil disappear each year all over the world - this corresponds to 3.4 tonnes per capita. This alarming loss endangers food security and the stability of ecosystems. Climate change accelerates erosion processes, making immediate action imperative. This finite resource should be preserved at all costs.

Protection is realizable at a surprisingly low cost. Most methods may be installed for less than $50 per acre. Contour farming has low costs, and cover crops produce a return through increased yields. Use these methods as a starting point before investing in costly, permanent installations.

Erosion management offers many interconnected benefits beyond soil protection. Cleaner rivers help aquatic organisms, and soil rich in carbon combats climate change. Biodiversity increases when soil is healthy! All of these compounds your impact on the environment significantly!

Initiate today with 1 to 2 practices adapted to your geographical location. Farmers' first options are contour strips and cover crops. Urban dwellers install rain gardens, roots, and mulch. Those on slopes begin with vetiver grass terraces. Evaluate your achievements at the end of each rainy season.