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Soil Erosion

Definition

Soil erosion refers to the process where topsoil is washed away or blown off from land surfaces due to factors like wind, water runoff, or human activities. It can lead to decreased soil fertility, loss of nutrients, and environmental degradation.

Analogy

Imagine your garden without any fences or barriers during a heavy rainstorm. The water washes away all your plants' nutrients because there's nothing holding them down. In a similar way, soil erosion occurs when natural forces remove vital topsoil from fields or lands.

Related terms

Dust Bowl: A severe period of soil erosion during the 1930s caused by drought conditions combined with poor farming practices in the Great Plains region.

Terracing: A technique used in agriculture where sloping land is transformed into a series of level steps along contour lines to prevent soil erosion and improve water retention.

Conservation measures: Practices such as planting cover crops, contour plowing, and using windbreaks that aim to reduce soil erosion and promote sustainable land management.