Soil Erosion Essay

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Discuss the three major causes of soil erosion and how they can be corrected. Briefly describe each one of these three major causes and how they can be corrected. The three major causes of soil erosion is: 1) deforestation, 2) overgrazing, 3) over cultivation. Deforestation is caused by being cut or cleared. It leaves the soil exposed. Then the “topsoil becomes saturated with water and slides off the slopes in a muddy mass into waterways, leaving barren subsoil that continue to erode.” (p. 288) The humus nutrients are then washed away, leaving poor subsoil and agriculture. They can correct this problem by adding more plants, grass, flowers, etc., anything that could slow down the runoff or soil without disturbing the structure. By doing this, it could slow down and correct the erosion problem, because it would work like “forming a smooth mat over which the water can flow, without disturbing the soil underneath.” (p. 281) Overgrazing occurs because the rangeland, public lands, not owned by the person who owns the animals. Overgrazing is not a new problem; it has been going on for centuries. Another cause of soil erosion is forest slopes that are too steep to farm, and are cleared and “put into grass for grazing” (p. 287), which leads to overgrazing and soil erosions. The wooded zones along the rivers, streams, any place close for the animals to get water, along with the grass, can also expand the erosion. This happens because of the breakdown of soil erosion. (p. 287-289) Other problems that lead to overgrazing is, “the grass production fails to keep up with the consumption, and the land becomes barren. Wind and water erosion follows, and soil becomes degraded.” (p.287) One solution to correct this problem is better management. Rangelands are producing 50% levels or less, so the restoration can benefit both cattle and wildlife. Another

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