Soil erosion is not simply an inconvenience; it can damage water quality, reduce crop yields, and eventually increase production costs for farmers. Let’s take a look at soil erosion prevention techniques below.
What Is Soil Erosion?
Retaining fertile topsoil is the primary focus of erosion control. Topsoil is rich in organic matter and nutrients needed to sustain healthy plant growth. When this layer of soil is lost, the land’s ability to sustain vegetation and reduce water infiltration is greatly diminished.
One other core objective is preventing sedimentation. This is ultimately designed to protect both environmental infrastructure and quality. When sediment enters waterways, they can cause pollution, clog storm drains, and harm aquatic ecosystems.
Control measures are used to focus on managing stormwater runoff by reducing its volume and velocity. This will then allow for better infiltration and results in decreasing the water’s capacity to transport soil particles.
Soil erosion is defined as the gradual wearing away of its surface. The top three causes of soil erosion are wind, water, and tillage.
Best Ways To Prevent Soil Erosion
There are some proven methods used today to prevent the erosion of soil. Try one of these techniques below to combat erosion.
1. Crop Rotation
The rotation of high-residue crops, such as small grain, hay, and corn, can reduce the erosion. The layer of residue ultimately protects the topsoil from being carried away by both wind and water.
2. Contour Farming
This type of farming involves planting in row patterns running level around a hill. This is done instead of planting up and down a slope.
Contour farming has shown to reduce runoff while also decreasing the risk of water erosion.
3. Terrace Farming
This involves planting in flat areas created on hillsides. It is done in a step-like formation and has been very successful at combating erosion.
4. Diversion Structures
This is often used for gully control. Diversion structures will cause water to flow along a desired path away from any at-risk areas ripe for erosion.
5. Strip Farming
Areas featuring a particularly steep slope call for planting fields in long strips. This should be alternated in a crop rotation system for the best results.
6. Grassy Waterways
By simply planting grass in areas of concentrated water flow, you can prevent a lot of erosion resulting from runoff. The grass will stabilize the soil while also providing an outlet for any drainage.
Geotextile Solutions And Soil Erosion Control From Eagle Environmental AZ
Eagle Environmental Products, Inc. was formed in 1995 and has been serving the state of Arizona ever since. Our team has over 50 years of combined experience in the geosynthetic and erosion control industry. We specialize in a wide variety of geotextile products such as, woven, non-woven fabrics used in drainage, filtration, stabilization and separation.
