How to Prevent Soil Erosion

When soil erosion occurs, it also means that a large amount of soil is washed away. Soil erodes, loses nutrients, rivers become clogged with mud, and eventually the whole region turns into a desert. Soil erosion is a natural phenomenon, but human activities can also contribute to making it much worse.

Table of Contents

Prevent erosion on arable land

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Plant trees to prevent landslides. Roots can be a useful tool when the soil has been eroded or is too steep for farming. You should plant trees on steep slopes and river banks to limit soil erosion. ^{[1] X Research Source}

For best results, the open ground around the base of the tree should also be weeded or mulched.
Note that older trees are better at preventing landslides than younger trees. It will take some time for the roots to grow strong enough.

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Limit plowing. Deep and frequent plowing will create a compact layer of soil that is easily eroded by water because the loose top layer is easily carried away by the wind. ^{[2] X Research Source} Consider using a no-till farming method using plows or other equipment. ^{[3] X Research Source} If the above method is not possible, you can try to apply the crowning method or use a mulch system so as not to touch the soil below. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

These conservation farming techniques also help limit the movement of machinery on the ground, so that the soil is not compacted.
If that doesn’t work, try mulching or mulching techniques so that the lower soil is not affected.

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Protect fragile crops by growing in beds. Crops with weak roots or that require thinning are more susceptible to soil erosion. You should plant these plants in beds. Intercropping with crops that are resistant to erosion such as thickets or legumes. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Plant trees along the slope.
Plant trees perpendicular to the wind if possible.

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Let the soil rest in the rainy season. Grazing land cannot develop well and retain its anti-erosion effect if cattle are allowed to graze year round. Ideally, lawns should be closed during the rainy season to give the grass time to recover.

This may not be effective if the other lawns are not sufficient to provide fodder for the cattle.
If possible, never allow cattle to walk along riverbanks and places where the soil is severely eroded. ^{[6] X Research Source}

Apply basic precautions

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Plant grass and shrubs. Bare soil is easily washed away by wind and water, the two main causes of erosion. When planting trees on the ground, the roots work to keep the soil cohesion, the leaves help prevent rain from causing landslides. ^{[10] X Trusted Source Virginia Cooperation Extension Go to source} Lawns, ornamental grasses, and low-growing shrubs are most effective because they cover the entire ground.

If you have bare land, you should try to plant trees as soon as possible to limit erosion.
If the site is mostly flat (3:1 slope or less), planting ground cover plants is usually enough to solve the problem. ^{[11] X Research Source} Slope soil will erode faster, so additional protection measures will be required.

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Use mulch or gravel. These materials help the soil settle, protecting seeds and seedlings from being washed away. This measure also slows down the absorption of water, thereby helping to limit the flow of water. Trimmed grass or shredded bark are great materials for this. ^{[12] X Research Source}

If you plant plants on the ground, the roots can help maintain cohesion in the soil. If not planting trees, use mulch. You can also put mulch around the plants for an extra layer of protection or to keep the soil warm.

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Use garden mulch to keep plants planted on sloping soil. Garden fibrous mats, also known as anti-erosion mats, are a coating held together by a mesh of fibrous fibers. This texture holds the coating together in areas where conventional coating materials can wash away. ^{[13] X Research Source} You can spread this garden mulch over seeds and seedlings.

If the land is sloping, dig a small trench at the top of the slope. Place the top of the garden rug in the trench, cover with soil, then fold the underside of the mat over. The water will flow over the carpet surface, and the carpet will slow down the water instead of flowing straight down. ^{[14] X Research Source}

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Use spools of yarn. Another option for erosion control on sloping soil is the use of rolled fibrous blocks (such as straw). Water flowing downhill will slow down when it reaches these spools and seep into the soil instead of rolling the mud down the slope. Lay the skeins horizontally on sloping ground, spaced about 3-8 meters apart, secure with wooden stakes or sturdy growing plants. ^{[15] X Research Source}

You can plant seeds directly on the spools to protect them as the plants grow.
If you plan to sow the seeds directly onto the spools, use a stick to hold the skeins in place, at least until the roots are deep into the ground.

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Build retaining wall. Severely eroded slopes will continue to collapse until they can be stabilized. A retaining wall at the base of the slope will help block the soil and slow down landslides. This will give the plants enough time to grow and maintain the cohesion of the soil.

Retaining walls need to be built with a slope of 2% (incline to the perpendicular to the ground) so that the water can flow away instead of standing. ^{[16] X Trusted Source Virginia Cooperation Extension Go to Source}
You can build walls with concrete blocks, stone or wood. Only use wood that has been treated with preservatives to prevent rotting. ^{[17] X Research Source}
Build retaining walls both around flower beds and raised plots.
You may need to get permission from your local authority before building a retaining wall.

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Improved drainage. Every building must have a system of ditches or pipes to carry water out of the garden and into the collection system. If drainage is not good, heavy rains can wash away topsoil.

In areas with large volumes of water flowing, you may need to install underground drainage pipes.

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Reduce watering if possible. Over-watering the garden can accelerate erosion as the soil is washed away. If possible, you should limit watering plants or install a drip irrigation system. Drip irrigation systems only distribute water little by little, so the water doesn’t flood up and sweep away the topsoil.

You can also install an underground drip irrigation system to deliver water directly to the roots.

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Avoid compacting the soil. Vehicles, people and animals traveling on the ground will cause the soil to be compacted. Because the soil loses its porosity, it will be difficult for water to penetrate the soil, but will flow downhill and carry the topsoil with it. You should walk on paving stones or paths instead of stepping on the ground, especially when the soil is wet. The addition of compost or manure also helps by attracting earthworms, an animal capable of making soil loose.

Compacted soil also makes it difficult for plants to grow, as it is difficult for roots to penetrate the soil. ^{[18] X Research Sources}
Compacted soil always leads to erosion as a consequence. Water can flow over compacted ground, but that will create a stronger flow and increase the potential for erosion in other areas.

Advice

Issue warnings in the community to help people combat soil erosion. Planting trees on vacant public land.
Plant beds across slopes, not along slopes. ^{[19] X Trusted Source Virginia Cooperation Extension Go to source}
In areas with strong winds or sandstorms, you can build fences or windbreaks around the site. Trees are better at blocking and collecting sand than fences.
If you are working on a construction project, you should ask your local authority about laws and regulations related to soil erosion control.

Steps

Prevent erosion on arable land

Apply basic precautions

Advice

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