Question

Short note : Soil erosion

Answer 1

Soil erosion is the removal of the topmost layer of soil due to water, rain, wind etc. It is a naturally occurring process that affects all forms of land. It can be a slow process that is relatively unnoticed or can occur at an alarming rate, causing a serious loss of soil. There are many factors which influence the process of soil erosion which are discussed below:

• Rainfall: Precipitation is the most forceful factor causing erosion. It is greater where the rainfall is not only heavy but concentrated over short periods.
• Vegetation: The vegetative cover protects the soil from the beating and dispersing action of the raindrops by forming a canopy over the soil surface. Vegetation also acts as a mechanical obstruction to flowing water, thus reducing its erosive potential.
  
• Wind Velocity: Stronger winds have greater erosive potential, thus wind velocity is directly proportional to an intensity of erosion.