Soil Erosion Questions

What is Soil Erosion?

Soil erosion is a slow process of transport and movement of the upper layer of soil. In this process, the soil particles are released or washed away by different agents, mainly rivers, streams, rainfall, wind, etc., which eventually causes its decline in the long term. Human activities such as deforestation and agriculture are also responsible for soil erosion.

Some of the main reasons for soil erosion:

1. Rainfall and Flooding
2. Grazing
3. Agriculture
4. Construction
5. Logging and mining
6. Heavy winds
7. Streams and rivers

Following measures can be taken to prevent soil erosion:

1. To limit erosion of soil, a lot of trees should be planted on barren lands.
2. On the slopes, mulch matting can be used to minimise erosion.
3. To prevent the soil from washing away, a series of fibre logs can be used.
4. At the base of the slope areas, a retaining wall can help stop the soil from erosion.
5. A suitable drainage system should be installed in every household so that water flows down into appropriate water collecting systems.

Important Questions on Soil Erosion

1) Soil develops slowly in which season or temperature?

a) Raimy

b) Spring

c) Summer

d) Cold

Correct Option: (d)

Explanation: In the progress of soils, climate and time play a vital role. Soils develop very slowly in tremendously dry or cold climates, while the soil progresses more speedily in warm and humid climates due to favourable climatic conditions.

2) How many centimetres of soil is developed under ideal climatic conditions?

a) Five

b) One

c) Two

d) Four

Correct Option: (b)

Explanation: Soft parent material may develop into 1 cm of soil under ideal climatic conditions within 15 years. It may require hundreds of years for hard parent material under poor climatic conditions to develop into the soil.

3) Arranged in a series of zones, which among the following is termed as matured soils?

a) Soil benches

b) Soil horizons

c) Soil textures

d) Soil zones

Correct Option: (b)

Explanation: With each horizon having a different texture and composition, the mature soils are arranged in a series of zones called soil horizons. These horizons differ with the different types of soil.

4) What do you mean by soil profile?

a) Soil profile is a cross-sectional view of the horizons in a soil

b) Soil profile is a front view of the horizons in a soil

c) Soil profile is a top view of the horizons in rocks

d) Soil profile is a front view of the horizons in rocks

Correct Option: (a)

Explanation: The soil profile helps to identify the special features present in the soils; it is a cross-sectional view of the horizon in a soil. While studying and analysing soil pollution caused by different soils, the soil profile can be an important aspect.

5) The soil consists of how many horizons?

a) Seven

b) Five

c) One

d) Four

Correct Option: (d)

Explanation: Basically, the soil consists of four horizons. O-horizon is the top layer, A-horizon is the uppermost layer of soil, the B-horizon that contains less organic matter is named subsoil and then comes the C-horizon, which is the area below the subsoil.

6) Partially decomposed organic matter is the main component of A–horizon soil.

a) True

b) False

Correct Option: (a)

Explanation: Partially decomposed organic matter and some inorganic mineral particles are majorly present in the A-horizon, also known as the uppermost layer of soil. This layer also consists of complex food webs forming members of bacteria, fungi and other small insects.

7) To determine the pH of the soil, which among the following horizons help?

a) C

b) A

c) D

d) B

Correct Option: (a)

Explanation: To determine the pH of the soil, the chemical configuration of the C-horizon is beneficial. Also, C-horizon helps hold water, and it affects the soil’s rate of water absorption.

8) The mixture of all the contents of soil is known as _____.

a) Soil Erosion

b) Soil Pollution

c) Soil degradation

d) Loams

Correct Option: (d)

Explanation: Soils with an almost equivalent combination of humus, clay and sand are called loams since the soil differs in their content of clay, silt, sand and gravel. Soil texture is determined by the relative quantities of diverse sizes and types of mineral particles present in it.

9) What is the importance of area treatment for soil?

a) Area treatment decreases the impact of raindrops on the soil

b) Area treatment maximises surface run-off

c) Not storing surplus rainwater

d) None of these

Correct Option: (a)

Explanation: Area treatment measures are to develop vegetation cover on non-arable land. Area treatment in soil decreases the influence of raindrops on the soil. It also affects at least displacement and disturbance of soil particles.

10) The process of surface litter and topsoil movement from one place to another is known as _____.

a) Soil erosion

b) Soil sublimation

c) Soil pollution

d) Soil degradation

Correct Option: (a)

Explanation: Often caused by wind and flowing water, soil erosion is a natural process, but several human activities such as farming, construction, burning of grass cover and deforestation also significantly accelerate soil erosion.

Practice Questions

1) What do you mean by soil erosion?

2) What are the factors that affect soil erosion?

3) What is humidity?

4) What is gully erosion?

5) What is sheet erosion?

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