SOIL EROSION SOIL EROSION It may be defined

SOIL EROSION

SOIL EROSION • It may be defined as the detachment and transportation of soil by agents of denudation. WEATHERING WATER WIND • Soil erosion occurs when the rate of soil particles and soil nutrients is in excess of the rate of soil formation

Types of soil erosion Running water Human factor Wind

SOIL EROSION BY RUNNING WATER Sheet erosion Gully erosion

SHEET EROSION

SHEET EROSION & GULLY EROSION • S. E- Torrential downpour in hilly regions specially in Himalayas hills of N. E India and the Nilgiris. • G. E- when water runs down or gushes in distinct paths , forming hills which deepen to form ravines or gullies leading down to bedrock.

GULLY EROSION

Chambal valley

SOIL EROSION BY WIND

SOIL EROSION BY WIND • Wind is the most powerful agent of denudation blowing away fine particles of sand depositing them in other areas rendering both areas unproductive. • Common in Thar Desert and Southern Punjab. • Wind erosion leads to advancement of deserts.

SOIL EROSION BY HUMAN FACTOR OVERGRAZING IMPROPER TECHNIQUES OF CULTIVATION DEFORESTATION

AFTER OVERGRAZING BEFORE

CONSEQUENCE OF SOIL EROSION • HILLS – Overgrazing , deforestation , improper methods of farming and road construction led to loosening of soil flashfloods landslips siltation in reservoir dams chocking the flow to cause floods

CONSEQUENCE OF SOIL EROSION IN DESERTS High velocity winds carry loose sand, pebbles, gravels and tend to settle them as sand dunes leading to intense desertification.

CONSEQUENCE OF SOIL EROSION IN ARID & SEMI ARID • Cattle rearing is a major economic activity , overgrazing of sheep and goats leads to removal of vegetation cover and pulverisation. (the act of grinding to a powder or dust). • The chos of Punjab and Haryana is due to loss of soil nutrient and moisture as a result of drforestation and overgrazing

METHODS OF SOIL CONSERVATION AGRONOMIC MECHANICAL

AGRONOMIC 1. STRIP CULTIVATION • Strip cropping is a method of farming which involves cultivating a field partitioned into long, narrow strips which are alternated in a crop rotation system.

AGRONOMIC 2. SLASH AND BURN AGRICULTURE • Slash and burn or ‘jhooming’ agriculture was legally banned and replaced by crop rotation.

Growing more trees and grass to bind the soil Farmers conserve grazing lands by limiting the time Water logged areas and saline soils are reclaimed and made fit for agriculture. In some cases foresters leave unusable branches and other parts of trees on the forest floor to add organic matter Planting shelterbelts perpendicular to the direction of winds.

Shelter belts

MECHANICAL MEASURES CONTOUR PLOUGHING CONTOUR BUNDING

PLUGGING OF GULLIES DPAP- DROUGHT PRONE AREA PROGRAMME WATERSHED MANAGEMENT TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS GIVEN TO FARMERS TO ADOPT SOIL CONSERVATION