Name: Riza Mae R.

Ocares Schedule: T-10 am – 1pm

Instructor: Mr. John Mark Risos Date Submitted: June 21, 2023

SS24
Exercise No. 9
Soil Erosion

INTRODUCTION

Soil is the basis of production in agriculture and forestry, the nourisher of mankind and an
important component of human environment however, some farming methods like extensive
farming method that involve acquisition and cultivation of land by clearing the existing
permanent vegetation cover, with little regard for high soil-protective effect of the latter. The
soil which become subjected to this process are susceptible for soil erosion and the extensive
expansion of cultivated agricultural land generally increases the danger of erosion (Zachar,
1982). Soil erosion is a major environmental issue because it can lead to water pollution. Soil
erosion can seriously impair crop productivity. Most agriculture activities, especially on sloping
landscapes, increase the potential for soil erosion. When soil erosion is severe, soil erodes
faster than it can be renewed and Losing topsoil to erosion contributes to a loss of inherent
soil fertility levels of N, P, K, and thus to a decline in potential crop yield (Al-Kaisi, Hanna,
Gerald, & Tidman, 2023).

METHODOLOGY

This laboratory exercise was conducted at the greenhouse of Department of Soil Science at
Visayas State University. The materials used by the students are 3 big water bottles, 3 small
water containers (300mL), soil, leaf litter, grass and 3 liters of water. The students cleaned the
plastic water bottles and prepared all the materials for the set-up, then they cut about 1/3 of
the size of the large bottle (lengthwise) excluded the neck of the bottle and for the small
containers, they cut about 1/2 of its size, then discarded the bottom portion of the small bottle.
The students attached the string on the sides of the smaller bottle, that will serve as the catch
basin for the set-up, filled about half of the large bottles with soil and they added equal amounts
of soil in all the containers, the they filled the first with soil only, they covered the second
container with dried leaves and the third container is covered with grass. The set-up is placed
on a stable flat surface, they hanged the catch basin in the openings of the large bottles, also
they poured 1L of water slowly in each container using the tin can with holes (That represents
the impact of raindrops on the soil.), then they continued to add water until enough leachate
will be collected in the catch basin. Lastly, the students observed the collected water in the
catch basin in terms of color and the amounts of sediments collected.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Figure 1 shows the experimental set-up for soil erosion, each container has different set-up:
container 1 has soil and grass, container 2 has soil and leaf litter and container 3 has soil only.
The container 1 shows clear water it is because it holds more soil and water because of its
roots, the container 2 shows slightly clear water it is because the leaf litters also hold water
and limits the run-off and lastly, the container 3 has a very muddy water as sediments/soil
particles were eroded or detached because soil alone doesn’t limits/hold the flow of water.

Figure 1. Photo showing the experimental set-up of soil erosion.

CONCLUSION

Erosion causes the degradation of topsoil and soil nutrients, both of which have a detrimental
effect on productivity. Eroded soil materials have the potential to significantly degrade off-farm
surface waters and groundwater. Reduced water quality issues might result from soil erosion
caused by precipitation. The amount of both phosphorus and nitrogen in the water increases
when the degraded topsoil enters the water sources. As a result, the oxygen content and
quality of the water are decreased. Vegetation and residue cover helps by shielding the soil
against the effects of rains and splash, reducing runoff, and enabling any extra surface water
to permeate the soil and root systems of plants help to hold the soil to maintain it tied together,
preventing displacement or separate soil particles and convey material.
REFERENCES

Al-Kaisi, M. A.-K., Hanna, M., Gerald, M., & Tidman, M. (2023). Soil erosion: effect on soil productivity.

https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/encyclopedia/soil-erosion-effect-soil-productivity

Zachar, D. (1982). Soil Erosion.

https://books.google.com.ph/books?hl=en&lr=&id=o8ny2dUkpM8C&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=Soil+er
osion&ots=mLclURtCRs&sig=IJICnnVkj5rDMG-
UQLVtqBCmSbA&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Soil%20erosion&f=false