The Effects of Vegetation on Soil Erosion by

Question: • What effect do we have on our environment? • What effect does vegetation have on soil erosion?

Materials: • 3 2 -liter bottles cut in half • Soil • Plant seeds • Water • Light • Mulch • Graduated cylinder/measurement cup • Beaker

Procedure: 1. Cut a 2 liter bottles in half and place the soil inside. 2. Spread seeds in this container. Place under a light source and water daily. 3. Wait until growth is about 2 -4 inches. 4. Repeat step 1 for 2 more bottles. 5. Keep one bottle as is with the soil (control).

Procedure continued. : 6. Add mulch to the last soil sample. 7. Place the samples in a slightly elevated position. 8. Pour a set amount of water using the graduated cylinder or measurement cup into a soil sample and use beaker to catch water runoff. 9. Record how clear or murky the runoff is 10. Repeat steps 8 and 9 for the other two bottles.

Hypothesis/Prediction: • If we grow grass in a soil sample, the roots and vegetation will slow down the movement of water, and then soil erosion will decrease

Data Collection • Water runoff was more clear in the sample with the grass • Water runoff was muddier in the sample with no plants Week Seedlings Mulch Soil Week 1 4 5 10 Week 2 2 4 10 Week 3 10 Water Clarity Scale 0: Clear 10: Muddy

12 10 8 6 4 Clear Water color Muddy The Experiment 2 0 Week 1 Week 2 Seedlings Week 3 Mulch Soil

Conclusion • Our hypothesis was correct. • The more vegetation there was in the soil sample, the less soil erosion there was. • The roots and grass helped to reduce the amount of soil being eroded.

Reflection • Plants and vegetation can help to reduce erosion in the environment. • Vegetation can prevent landslides. The less grass and plants we have, the more the rain will cause serious soil erosion. This will lead to less fertile land. • If we make an effort to plant trees, and vegetation, we can make a difference by helping to save our environment. • The more soil erosion that occurs, the quality of our water will decrease.