Causes of Soil Erosion, Its Measurements, and Management

Soil erosion represents one of the main causes of degradation of agricultural land around the globe. Productivity of the agricultural land is decreasing due to the removal of the top fertile layer of soil, hence it is drawing the attention of the world. Global resources are diminishing at the rapid pace while the populations and environmental issues are gearing up at even a more pace. Factors like natural, anthropogenic, and climate change have shown that soil erosion is a serious threat to life and needs to be pro-actively looked into for sustainable solutions of various forms causing soil to erode away and pose a threat to the sustainable food security and environment. Water and wind have been recognized as the leading agencies responsible for soil erosion. While among the other factors of causing soil erosion include local climate, farming practices, soil type, vegetation, construction (roads, housing), mining, organic matter, deforestation, overgrazing, sediments transport, urbanization, topography, surface run off, wind velocity, water velocity, and soil moisture content. Whereas, the most advanced technique for soil erosion measurement is photogrammetry which involves the application of aerial photographs coupled with image processing and Geographic information system (GIS). Agronomic measures are yet considered as the best option implemented for the control of soil erosion.