Environmental Hazard: Soil Erosion – JSS3 Basic Science Lesson Note (First Term)

Erosion is the washing away or wearing of the topsoil and sub-soil from land either by water or wind.

Process of Soil Erosion

-Detachment is when the topsoil is detached from the rest of the soil.

-Movement is when the topsoil is transported to another area.

-Deposition is where the topsoil ends or is deposited.

Causes of soil erosion

-Overgrazing of the grasses or plants of a particular area( using animals to eat up the plants)

-Bush burning setting bush into fire.

-Deforestation (cutting down of trees).

-Building and construction work

-Some wrong methods of agricultural practices (farming)

-some other human activities such as oil spillage and mining activities.

Ways of Controlling or Preventing Erosion

-Mulching (using plant materials to cover heaps or soil surface)

-Avoid overgrazing.

Avoid bush burning

-By organizing public education awareness.

-Through afforestation programs (tree planting).

-By planting cover crops which help to cover the soil to the soil from being exposed to the agent of erosion.

-By making terracing and contour across erosion area.

Effects of Soil Erosion.

-It can lead to water pollution.

-It can cause the soil to its fertility

-It can increase soil acidity which will affect the well-being of the plant.