Soil Erosion and Productivity1/

Soil is comprised of mineral and organic materials that have weathered or decomposed over many years and in some cases a millennium to create the resource that most of us rely on for our livelihoods, and mankind for its survival. There are many phenomena that work together to weather rocks and minerals that include biological, chemical, and physical processes. Weathering, most greatly affected by climate, ages a soil over time. It has been estimated that it takes several centuries to create 1 inch of soil, and it became very apparent in 2000 that erosion could take away much of this resource in a few hours. Soil erosion is a natural process where the forces of nature move vulnerable soil toward the sea. Very simply put wind and water provide the energy needed to detach soil particles and transport them until their energy decreases and the particles are deposited. Man’s activities increase the potential for erosion because practices such as agriculture, as well as various types of construction leave the soil bare and vulnerable to the elements. It is well known that raindrop impact provides the force that begins water erosion. Raindrops traveling about 20 mph can splash soil particles as far as 5 feet. The raindrop energy also compacts and seals the soil surface, with finer particles filling voids, thereby reducing infiltration and initiating runoff. Initially the runoff flows as a discontinuous sheet over the land. As the volume of runoff and sedimen