al.1997). .
The Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) estimates average annual soil loss from sheet and till erosion. The equation is: A=RKLSCP, where A is the computed soil loss per unit area, R is a rainfall factor, K is a soil erodibility factor, L is a slope length factor, S is a slope degree factor, C is a crop practice factor, and P is a conservation practice factor (Baffaut et al 1998).
Data from erosion plots in Tarija suggest only moderate rates of erosion (200tons-per. yr.). Data at 6-min intervals for 41 sites in the tropics of Australia were used to compute the rainfall and runoff factor (R-factor) for the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE), and a daily rainfall erosivity model was validated for these tropical sites. Mean annual rainfall varies from about 300 mm at Jervois to about 4000 at Tully. For these tropical sites, both rainfall and rainfall erosivity are highly seasonal. The daily erosivity model performed better for the tropical sites with a marked wet season in summer in comparison to model performance in temperate regions of Australia where peak rainfall and peak rainfall erosivity may occur in different seasons (Yu 1998).
The Wind factor must be considered when evaluating soil erosion. Plant nutrients are transported in windblown sediment. The Wind Erosion Equation (WEQ) is designed to predict long-term average annual soil losses from a field having specific characteristics. The equation is E=f (IKCLV), where E is the estimated average annual soil loss, I is the soil erodibility, K is the ridge roughness factor, C is the climatic factor, L is the equivalent unsheltered distance across the field along the prevailing wind erosion direction, and V is the equivalent vegetative cover (Baffaut et al. 1998). .
As validation for the Wind Erosion equation (WEQ) two field sites were established in southern Alberta (one in 1990, one in 1993). At Site 1, total N in windblown sediment trapped at 25-cm height showed an average (13 events) enrichment ratio of 1.
Soil erosion is not one of the most sought after conservation movements today. ... Soil erosion is significant, however, for various reasons. ... Additionally, soil erosion affects farming and pollution. Soil erosion can occur from winds, water and improper farming techniques. ... Wind erosion is the most obvious form of soil degradation. ...
Human activity, on the other hand, greatly increases the rate of soil erosion. Water plays an important role in soil erosion. ... Without human activities, losses of soil through erosion would in most areas probably be balanced by the formation of new soil. ... However, this organic sequence is disturbed by manmade activities and soil erosion which cause the soil to deteriorate. ... Erosion attacks the moisture-bearing ability of soils and adds deposits to waterways. ...
Thus, it is important to prevent erosion. However, the urbanization, surface mining and land clearance of recent years has led to an increase in erosion. Although erosion is a natural process, it has been accelerated by man ever since the day the first settlers arrived to cut and burn trees to make room for crops. After detecting that millions of tons of soil were lost during this period, one might think that Kentuckians would strive to make the state more soil-friendly, and while some have made noteworthy attempts to save our soil, others have knowingly increased erosion by cutting down...
When the SSSA was created, scientist knew very little about the science behind soil, and to be more specific, top soil. ... Phillippe Boveye states that soils are still very much a frontier science. There is a lot to learn from past experiences of drought and top soil erosion. ... And that once the sod that was placed on top of the soil was gone the soil would soon be gone as well due to the high winds. ... From all the other sources improper farming techniques, major droughts, large dust clouds, and top soil erosion are the four main causes of the difficulties during the 1930's related t...
Bare, unprotected soil is extremely vulnerable to wind erosion. Erosion occurs with strong, turbulent winds blowing across a soil surface that is smooth, loose, dry and finely granulated. ... Slightly larger soil particles bounce or roll along soil surface. The most effective wind erosion control measure is to maintain cover on the soil surface throughout the year (Sirios 1). ... If erosion persists, a second chiseling operation may be needed. ...
These environmental issues are erosion, salinity and siltation. ... Although grazing was banned in 1969, erosion and siltation has remained a problem. It is evident with 50 sq km of unusable land caused by erosion are left behind and in other areas soil to a depth of 60cm is loss. ... The clearing out of trees, break up the soil which can lead to erosion. ... The fertility of the soil decreases as silt flows on farms and river flats. ...
These land uses led to soil exposure and great erosion. ... The soil had become exhausted. ... Wind erosion blew away the dry and denuded soil and created clouds of dust that could be seen hundreds of miles away. ... The roots would help prevent further erosion. ... Their lack of knowledge and poor agricultural practices led to the erosion of the Prairies on a massive scale. ...
Soil erosion is a natural process. ... Erosion is the wearing away of soil and rock materials. Erosion involves loosening material and transporting it to another place. Water erosion happens little bits at a time, one raindrop can hit the soil with the force of a tiny meteorite, scattering the soil a couple of centimeters. Erosion by wind happens when the wind has picked up grains of dust, soils and sand and is transported to somewhere else. ...
Producers can't live without soil. ... This process, called erosion normally occurs very slowly. But people have greatly increased the rate of soil erosion by removing natural vegetation to clear land for construction projects, mining operations, or farmland. ... Thus, fewer soil particles are washed away. ... If it weren't for soil, we would all starve to death. ...