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Soil erosion: risk management

Mechanics | Water erosion | Wind erosion

Back to Soil erosion

The risk of soil erosion occurring depends on the erosive power (wind or water), and the exposure of the soil to associated forces. Erosion is managed by balancing the power relationships during a wind storm or rainfall event.

The factors influencing erosion risk include:

• Erosive power (e.g. water – rainfall amount, duration and intensity)
• Landscape factors – slope, soil type, topography
• Ground cover protecting the soil
• Degree of soil disturbance
• Surface roughness
• Aggregate stability
• Modifying works (e.g. shelter belts, contour banks)

Water erosion control principles
To reduce the risk of water erosion it is imperative to match land use with land capability. The land capability class cannot be changed (based on topography, soil type, etc) nor can the erosive power of the rainfall event. But management practices can be changed:

• Select timing and type of cultivation to minimise soil disturbance
• Manage stubble and surface vegetation to maintain cover
• Manage soil structure and physical condition of the soil to maximise water infiltration rates

Surface cover is vital to protecting soil from erosion, especially if the soil surface has been disturbed by cultivation or heavy grazing. Surface cover helps of reduce the impact of rain drops and increasing infiltration.

Wind erosion control principles
To reduce the risk of wind erosion it is imperative to match land use with land capability. The land capability class cannot be changed (based on topography, soil type, etc) but the management practices can be:

• Improve soil aggregation and bonding
• Minimise soil disturbance and exposure by grazing and cultivation
• Maintain vegetative cover (shelter belts, growing vegetation)
• Maintain vegetative residues (standing stubble)
• Increase surface roughness