[GGH1502] - SEMESTER 2
[Assignment 02: 660672]
Studente Nommer: 53043480
Ps. N M PALMER
, INTRODUCTION
Soil is the earth’s fragile skin that anchors all life on Earth. Comprised of countless species
that create a dynamic and complex ecosystem and among the most precious resources to
humans. Increased demand for agriculture commodities generates incentives to convert
forests and grasslands to farm fields and pastures.
Erosion is a process of detachment and transportation of soil materials by wind or water. It
is a natural geomorphological process that occurs on most of the world’s land surface, with
the principal exception of those areas on which soil eroded from elsewhere is deposited.
Since water is the dominant agent causing erosion in South Africa, it is the focus of this
review. Water erosion can occur through rain splash, in unconcentrated flow as sheet
erosion, or in concentrated flow as rill and/or gully erosion. Since soil erosion infrequently
occurs in dramatic events, perception of its seriousness, measurement of its progress and
persuasion of the need to take ameliorative action are not always regarded as a priority.
VARIABLES THAT INFLUENCE EROSION
Factors That Influence Erosion and Runoff:
SOIL LANDSCAPE
● texture ● steep slopes
● wetness ● field size and valley features
● structure ● proximity of watercourses
● soil surface roughness ● field tracks and roads
WEATHER LAND USE
● rainfall intensity ● risks associated with crops and livestock
● climate and soils
(Environment Agency thinksoils factors that influence erosion and runoff / soil texture)
▪ The amount and intensity of rainfall; Heavy rainfall have more erosive force than
light showers of rain.
▪ The slope of the land; determines the speed of flowing water and the greater the
speed of water the greater the erosive force
▪ The type of soil; The ability of water to infiltrate into the soil depends on the type of
the soil e.g. sandy soil is quickly saturated with water hence easily eroded
▪ Soil depth; Shallow soils become saturated with water very quickly and are easily
eroded
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through EFT, credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying this summary from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller michaelrothstein. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy this summary for R115,27. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
