Erosion

By: Jackson Wilson

Soil Erosion
Types of Erosion
Wind
Water

Splash
Sheet
Gully
Rill

Mostly affects topsoil the most valuable layer for

growing
U.S. farmlands lose 6 tons on average for every ton of
grain

Desertification
When erosion and other factors cause more than 10%
productivity loss in farmland
Affects 1/3 of the planet
Costs millions of dollars for nations and can lead to
mass displacement due to expanding deserts

Dust Bowl
Is an example of rapid desertification
Cultivation and grazing removed native grasses and
disrupted the soil composition, which allowed for
erosion to quickly expand
Strong winds eroded topsoil by the millions of tons,
causing huge dust storms

Soil Conservation Service

Followed after the Dust Bowl
U.S. Congress passed the Soil Conservation Act of 1935
which created the SCS
Local districts were formed that worked individually with
farmers to conserve soil, these districts reported to the
state and federal level for funding and direction
Early example of interdisciplinary efforts to solve an
environmental issue

How Farmers Can Reduce Erosion

Reduced / no till farming doesnt disturb soil structure
as much
Crop rotation corn/wheat and soybeans
Contour farming prevents rills/gullies on hillsides
Terracing prevents loss of soil from water
Intercropping alternating crop types
Shelterbelts windbreaks

Sources
Book