Types of soil erosion

Wind erosion

Dry soils, especially with a low clay content, are likely to be loose with little cohesion between particles, making them susceptible to blowing away if it is windy and the soil is unprotected

Water erosion

• Rain splash erosion

• Surface runoff erosion

• Slumping and landslides

All increased by steeper gradients

Rain splash erosion

When soil particles are dislodged by the splash of a raindrop, dispersing them in all directions - moving those going downhill further, which, over time, can cause the downhill movement of large amounts of soil

Surface runoff erosion

When soil particles are carried in water flowing over the ground surface

What conditions make surface runoff erosion more likely to occur?

• Heavy/prolonged rain - soil infiltration capacity exceeded

• Relatively impermeable soil - more water flows over ground surface

Slumping and landslides

The downward movement of large amounts of soil caused by the soil on slopes becoming very wet

What conditions make slumping and landslides more likely to occur?

• Heavy/prolonged rain - increased mass and lubrication

• Deforestation - reduced stability from lack of roots