Soil Disturbance
IN THIS LESSON
The loss of soil from its original position is called soil erosion.
Disturbances can alter the complex interrelated chemical, physical, and biological properties of soil, which can have a negative impact on soil fertility.
Erosion is a natural process of a steady loss of soil, a movement of soil from one place to another, and the formation of new soil through the slow weathering of parent rock material.
Accelerated erosion is caused by the action of people or animals. For example, removing too much vegetation and plant residue makes the soil more vulnerable to wind and water erosion. Certain farming practices such as slash and burn agriculture accelerate erosion by destroying the plant cover that protects the soil. Slash and burn agriculture seeks to rapidly clear land for farming by cutting down the vegetation and burning it.