What are the human activities that increase the rate of soil erosion?

Question 1

How does vegetation removal increase rate of soil erosion?

Answer 1

• removes the protection from erosion

Question 2

How does ploughing vulnerable soils increase the rate of soil erosion?

Answer 2

• breaks up the soil structure

- exposing soil particles to erosion by wind or water

Question 3

How does overgrazing increase the rate of soil erosion?

Answer 3

• if livestock density is too high, vegetation will be eaten faster than it can grow
• increases exposure of soil and risk of erosion
• disturbance and root damage by hooves increase risk of erosion

Question 4

How does reduced soil biota increase rate of soil erosion?

Answer 4

• detritivores and decomposers break down daed organic matter
• they release plant nutrients which can increase vegetation cover
• decomposition produces humus which increases adhesion between soil particles
• worms aerate the soil ( increasing drainage rates and infiltration capacity of soil )

Question 5

How does soil compaction increase the rate of soil erosion?

Answer 5

• smaller interstitial spaces which reduces infiltration rates
• more likely that rainfall will produce surface run off and cause erosion

Question 6

How does cultivating steep slopes increase the rate of soil erosion?

Answer 6

• surface run off water flows more rapidly down steeper slopes
• has more kinetic energy to pick up and carry particles
• ploughing adds to erosion risk