The Causes and Effects of Soil Erosion

If your yard is not properly draining after fall rains, you’re in for bigger problems once snow and ice arrive. Effective runoff and drainage will allow your landscape to get the water and nutrients it needs without taking all of your soil with it. Soil erosion is a big problem for many homeowners. Here’s what you need to know before all of your landscaping goes down the drain!

What Is Soil Erosion?

Soil erosion occurs when the topsoil in your yard is loosened and worn away over time. Wind, water, and even foot traffic can all contribute to this. While soil erosion is a natural process, it should be combatted in order to keep your landscape in great condition. Once the nutrient-rich topsoil is taken away, your soil quality will decrease, and it will be harder to grow or garden.

Why Does Soil Erosion Occur?

Depending on the severity of your soil erosion problem, any of the following could be contributing.

Rain and Flooding: The longer and stronger that a storm is, the greater the chances are that soil erosion will occur. Rain produces four different types of soil erosion including sheet erosion and splash erosion. If you live in an area with a high amount of rainfall, you might lose significant amounts of soil regularly.

Rivers and Streams: Just like rainwater, the constant flow of water in rivers and streams will slowly eat away the soil in the area. This type of soil erosion is called lateral erosion, and it creates a deep V in the land.

Winds: High winds and regular wind gusts can also contribute to soil erosion, especially if your soil hasn’t received any moisture in a while. The wind will take loose topsoil with it and carry it away.

Farming: If you are gardening at all on your property, overgrazing, overstocking, and improper tillage can all cause soil erosion.

Mass Movements: If there are any large slopes in your yard or you are surrounded by rocks on a sloping surface, mass movements of wind and rainfall might cause increased soil erosion.

What Are the Effects of Soil Erosion?

Soil erosion, over time, can cause a wide range of damaging effects to your landscape, including:

A loss of arable or fertile land

Water pollution

Sedimentation in surrounding waterways

Air pollution

Damage to local infrastructures like dams or drains

Professional Landscape Design for Your Home

If your yard is suffering from soil erosion or you have another landscaping project in mind, contact TDH Landscaping. We will work with you to seamlessly combine your vision with our recognized expertise to make it happen. We have over five decades of experience transforming yards throughout the area, and our goal is to give every landscape a curated touch, while offering our knowledge to keep your residential landscape beautiful all year long. To get in touch, give us a call at 410-692-0050 or visit us online. For more helpful landscaping tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and YouTube.

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