Soil Erosion Prevention

Soil erosion, though a natural process, has had a devastating impact on the earth. In a majority of cases, the process has been speeded up by human activity. The disturbing facts about soil erosion are these; it impacts the growth of crops, vegetation and plants as the soil no longer contains enough nutrients to assist a healthy growth. Having examined the gravity of the situation, it is evident that a collective effort is needed to be made towards prevention of soil erosion.

Soil erosion is basically the shifting of soil particles due to rain, wind, floods and melting ice. We as individuals can do very little to extend soil erosion control when it is caused by nature. A significant amount of soil erosion takes place by rivers during floods or because of storms, droughts and melting ice. However, this kind of erosion can only be tackled at the national level. Humans contribute to the process of erosion by cutting down forests, undergrowth and excessive watering of gardens or surrounding areas. Since we have no control over the wind or rain, we can concentrate on one simple aspect which is to increase plant life around us which holds top soil in its place.

Soil Erosion Solutions

Here are some simple measures we can take to reduce soil erosion:

• Gardening: Take up gardening as a hobby and get in touch with nature. The grass and trees you plant or even the fences you put up will prevent heavy rain from beating down on your land and keep the top soil in place. It will also prevent the soil from drying up and getting blown or washed away.
• Conservation tillage: Often used by farmers but can be adapted by gardeners as well, it is simply leaving some vegetation on the ground instead of stripping the entire area bare. In its simplest form it involves planting a short hedge around each plot of flowers or vegetable patches or even leaving a strip of grass between every few beds of flowers/vegetables. This will help to keep the soil in check.
• Keep Soil Healthy: This is an important step to prevent soil erosion. Use fertilizers, manure or compost regularly, soil thus treated becomes rich in organic matter, binds together and is less prone to being washed or blow away.
• Plant Wind Breakers: In areas prone to gusty winds, plant wind breakers in the form of trees, hedges and bushes or even put up a wooden/plastic fence.
• Contour Farming: If you happen to be living in the hills, this method is very useful in preventing soil erosion by slowing down the flow of water down the slopes. It is done by following the natural contours of the land while planting.
• Avoid Leaving Land Barren: On land that is not in use one should plant a 'cover crop'. This helps your land in two ways; to begin with it prevents soil erosion and also provides nutrients for the land in the form of nitrogen fixers if certain cover crops are used.
• Matting: One of the commonly used products in soil conservation is 'matting'. Readymade matting made of wood fiber is commonly used in household vegetable gardens and vacant plots. The matting which is placed on top of the soil prevents soil erosion while at the same time it allows plants and trees to grow through it.
• Use of Retaining Walls: Very useful in areas where rains is heavy and water erosion affects the soil, one can prevent it by constructing small retaining walls around your vegetable plots. You can use bricks and mortar or even pack in heaped soil in rows.
• Use of Mulch/Fertilizer: Another useful method is applying a layer of mulch and fertilizer over the soil. This prevents the rain from beating down hard directly on the soil at the same time water slowly soaks through the soil and enriches it. The mulch and fertilizer layer helps the soil to regain its PH levels.
• Avoid Excess Watering: While it is important to keep the soil moist which at times may be difficult, like in summers, avoid over-watering as this washes away the top soil and degrades the land.

The threat of global warming and pollution have given a lot of importance to 'green cover'. It is the duty of every one of us to put all our efforts towards soil erosion prevention. If one follows the steps mentioned above it will help prevent the degradation of the earth, and in the process maintain and preserve our environment.