2. Soil Erosion & conservation
Hello everybody lets start with a new chapter called as soil erosion and conservation.
In this chapter we will be talking about what is soil erosion, what are the various ways in which soil gets eroded and how we can conserve soil and prevent soil erosion
Soil Erosion & conservation
Part 1

3. Introduction The upper layer of the earth is mostly soil
Soil provides minerals for plants to grow
Soil is made up of small particles of broken down rock, remains of dead plants and animals, water and air
Soil also has tiny living things called as bacteria
The upper layer of the earth is made up of soil
Soil is so important that it provides minerals for plants to grow
Now when you see what soil is made up of, we see that it is made up of small particles of broken down rocks, dead and decaying plants and animals, water as well as air.
Soil even has tiny living things called as bacteria.
We know that soil is very important for us. Let us see how exactly we depend on soil and what all it provides us

4. Importance of soil Plants Animals Get nutrition from soil
They are able to grow and make food
Find shelter in soil. Eg: rabbits, ants, & earthworm
We need products from soil to build our home

5. How is soil formed?
Soil is formed by breaking down of rocks into small pieces- Weathering of rocks
Animals, roots of plants, rain, force of flowing water, and wind & weather changes help to break down rocks into smaller pieces
Moving water carries rocks, these knock against each other and break into smaller pebbles which finally breaks into tiny grain of sand
When rocks break down into smaller pieces soil is formed. This process is called as weathering of rocks
Weathering is rocks happens because of animals, roots of plants that go deep into certain rocks, rain, force of flowing water, wind and weather changes. (Read 3)

6. Now let us look at soil erosion more in detail & how its caused

7. Soil erosion
Soil forms and settles in layers.
The topmost layer of the soil is called ‘topsoil’
Topsoil gets mixed with humus & is the fertile layer of the soil
If the topsoil is removed by wind or water, fertility of the soil is lost and the land becomes barren and unfit for farming
The removal of topsoil by wind or water is known as soil erosion
The soil on earth when formed settles in layers
In these layers the topmost layer is called as topsoil
It is this topsoil that gets mixed with humus (organic material- dead and decaying animals and plants) because it mixes with humus it is the fertile part of soil
If this topsoil is removed by wind and water then even the fertility of soil gets lost and the land becomes barren
Barren: dry land where plants cannot grow

8. Different types of soil erosion
Erosion by water
Erosion by wind
Erosion due to human activity

9. Erosion by water Flowing rain water carries a part of the soil
Soil erosion by water is greater in hilly regions
At planes flow of river slows down and deposits soil
This causes rivers to change course and which results in floods
As rain water flows on land, it takes a part of soil with it. This results in soil erosion (read point 2)
As water flows with more and more speed as it comes down hill it erodes more and more soil from uphill. (read point 3)
Over the years as these deposits increase, rivers change course, which even results in floods, causing heavy loss of life and property

10. Erosion by wind Strong winds cause top soil to be blown away.
Wind erosion is greatest in dry areas particularly in deserts.
(Read point 1) especially in areas where there is less vegetation to bind soil. This soil that is carried goes and deposits at a place where there is less wind speed.
Read point 2

11. Erosion due to human activities
Overgrazing
Deforestation
Roots of plants hold soil particles together and reduce erosion of soil by wind and water. However human activities have lead to the reduction in plant cover and caused an increase in soil erosion
Deforestation: we have cleared forests to build farmlands, cities, roads and for our wood requirements. This leaves land bare and increases erosion. Even ploughing leaves soil loose
Overgrazing: we rear cattle for our use, and when these cattle overgraze they expose the top soil by eating away all the plants growing on it, this increases soil erosion

12. recap The removal of topsoil by wind or water is known as soil erosion
What is soil erosion?
The removal of topsoil by wind or water is known as soil erosion
Various ways in which soil gets eroded:
Erosion by water
Erosion by wind
Erosion by human activities:
Deforestation
Overgrazing

13. So with this we come to the end of part 1 of soil erosion
So with this we come to the end of part 1 of soil erosion. In the next part we will discuss how to conserve soil. Thank you!
Thank you!

16. Soil Erosion & conservation
Hello and welcome to part 2 of soil erosion and conservation. So in the previous part of the chapter we looked at what was soil erosion and what were the various ways in which soil is being eroded. Now in this part we will focus on how to conserve soil.
Soil Erosion & conservation
Part 2

17. Formation of just 1cm thick layer of soil takes more than 100 years, but it can all get eroded in just a few years leaving the land barren and unfit to farm. Therefore, it is very important to protect soil from erosion. So… # (read)
Soil conservation
The protection of soil against erosion is known as soil conservation.

18. afforestation
Planting tress or afforestation is a very effective way of reducing soil erosion.#
Grass grown on slopes in hilly areas prevents erosion of soil by water flowing down the slopes

19. Soil cover The next method is soil cover.
After crop is harvested or before the next crop is sown, soil remains bare#. Now see this image and imagine what would happen if a strong wind blows or it rains heavily what would happen?? Soil will get eroded very easily by wind and water
To prevent this farmers either grow grass(#) or cover their land with dried vegetation(#). This is called as soil cover

20. Windbreakers shelterbelts
Growing hedges or trees along the edges of farmlands acts as wind breakers and reduces wind speed hence reduces erosion due to wind

21. Terrace/ step farming
Along the slopes of hills, farming is done by cutting steps in slopes. This reduces the speed of water as it flows down. This reduces erosion by water.
The soil eroded from one step deposits in the next step. So in this way no soil is lost.

22. Building embankments Rivers constantly erode soil on their banks.
Strong embankments of rocks and soil are built along the edges of banks of rivers and lakes.
These embankments are called as bunds.
This also prevents the nearby land from getting flooded and protects it from soil erosion
So with this we come to the end of the chapter! Lets do a quick recap

23. recap Soil conservation Types of Soil Conservation Afforestation
The protection of soil against erosion is known as soil conservation.
Types of Soil Conservation
Afforestation
Soil cover
Shelterbelts
Step farming
Building embankments

24. Thank you!