give an 5 examples of positive and negative ng soil erosion
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give an 5 examples of positive and negative ng soil erosion
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Explanation:
NEGATIVES:
Water Quality
The gradual erosion of soil creates sedimentation, a process by which rocks and minerals in the soil separate from the soil and deposit elsewhere, often lodging in streams and rivers. Pollutants in the soil, such as fertilizers and pest control agents used to protect crops, also settle in the streams and rivers. Water pollutants result in poor water quality -- including the quality of drinking water if the pollutants aren't removed before consumption.
Mudslides and Structural Problems
Soil erosion leads to mudslides, which affect the stability and structural integrity of buildings and roadways. Mudslides not only affect structures supported by the soil but also buildings and roads that are in the path of slides. Mudslides occur when fine sand, clay, silt, organic matter and soil spill off the sides of hills and slopes as a result of the force and energy of heavy rainfall. This runoff occurs quickly, so there's not enough time for the surface to reabsorb or trap the eroding soil, according to Envirothon, a program of the National Conservation Foundation and North America's largest high school environmental education competition.
Deforestation and Flooding
Deforestation -- the removal of trees to create room for cities and farming -- erodes soil. Trees help hold soil in place, so when they're uprooted, winds and rains push the loose soil and rocks to streams and rivers, again resulting in unwanted sedimentation. The heavy layers of sediment keep streams and rivers from flowing smoothly, eventually leading to flooding. Excess water, especially during rainy seasons and when the snow melts, gets trapped by the sediment and has nowhere to go except back on land.
Soil Degradation
The degradation of nutrients in soil is often a result of poorly conducted farming and agricultural practices that lead to soil erosion. Excessive irrigation and outdated tilling practices reduce the amount of nutrients in the soil and make it less fertile for natural vegetation and agricultural purposes. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, agricultural methods, such as purposely leaving organic matter in the soil and ensuring that at least 30 percent of the previous year's crop residue remain in the soil, increase the fertility and vitality of the soil. In some cases, seeds can be planted directly in the previous year's crop residue without any further tillage.
The Problem Builds
If appropriate steps are not taken, construction practices cause erosion. Soil is exposed when areas are cleared for building, and storm water runoff carries sediment to lakes, rivers and streams. In many parts of the United States, regulations require construction areas larger than 5 acres to have erosion-control plans, such as silt fences and straw bales to reduce runoff.
Getting Hotter
Humans contribute to global warming, and global warming contributes to erosion. The burning of coal, oil and gas is responsible for most of the climate change. Storms are increasing in frequency and severity, washing away soil. This is especially apparent in coastal areas, where hurricanes and typhoons wear away coastlines and destroy habitats.
POSITIVE:
A positive effect of soil erosion is that new soil will get scattered over dead soil and moisturize it. Negative.