Combating soil erosion is vital in the wake of climate change

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August 2, 2023

Soil erosion is a global environmental challenge that has far-reaching consequences for ecosystems,
agriculture, and even human health. Its impact on coral reefs in the Caribbean and Florida since the
1970s highlights the urgent need to address this issue. To tackle soil erosion effectively, we must
monitor, measure, and model erosion processes, while also implementing prevention and remediation
strategies.

Monitoring and modeling soil erosion is crucial for understanding its causes and predicting erosion
under various conditions. However, the complexity of erosion processes and the integration of multiple
scientific disciplines make accurate modeling a challenging task. The Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE)
has been a commonly used model, estimating annual soil loss on a plot-sized area based on factors such
as rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, topography, cover and management, and support practices. Though
widely applied to larger areas like watersheds. The USLE’s limitation in simulating gully erosion poses
challenges, as gully erosion can account for a substantial proportion of total erosion on cultivated and
grazed land.

Over the past 50 years, numerous soil erosion models have emerged, aiming to approximate actual
erosion rates. Some models, like the G2 model, build on the USLE, while others, such as the Water
Erosion Prediction Project model and RHEM, have moved away from USLE elements. Despite these
advancements, new models continue to be developed due to the complexity of soil erosion.

To combat soil erosion effectively, we must focus on prevention and remediation measures. Increasing
vegetative cover on the land is a powerful preventive measure against both wind and water erosion.
Terracing, an ancient technique, significantly slows down water erosion on cultivated slopes.
Windbreaks, which are rows of trees and shrubs planted along the edges of agricultural fields, offer
numerous benefits, including reducing wind erosion, creating better microclimates for crops, providing
habitat for beneficial bird species, carbon sequestration, and enhancing the agricultural landscape.

Traditional planting methods like mixed-cropping and crop rotation have also shown to reduce erosion
rates significantly. Crop residues play a crucial role in mitigating erosion by reducing the impact of
raindrops breaking up the soil particles. It is essential to consider the type of crop being grown, as some,
like potatoes pose a higher potential for erosion compared to cereals or oilseed crops. Forages with
fibrous root systems play a pivotal role in combating erosion by anchoring plants to the soil’s top layer
and providing complete field coverage.

Tropical coastal systems can benefit from mangroves to reduce soil erosion. Their complex root
structures effectively reduce wave damage from storms and floods, while also binding and building soils.
However, maintaining an adequate width of mangrove forest is crucial for balancing sediment
deposition and reducing erosion rates.