Lesson 1 of 4 ยท Grade 5 Agriculture and Nutrition
Soil erosion and conservation
15 min
Soil erosion is the removal of the top soil by water, wind or animals. The top soil is the most fertile layer, so erosion makes land poor.
Causes
- Cutting down trees (deforestation).
- Overgrazing by too many animals.
- Ploughing up and down a slope.
- Heavy rain on bare soil.
Controlling soil erosion
- Planting trees and cover crops.
- Terracing on steep slopes.
- Contour farming: ploughing across the slope.
- Mulching: covering soil with dry grass or leaves.
- Gabions and cut-off drains to slow water.
- Controlled grazing.
Key points to remember
- Erosion removes fertile top soil
- Overgrazing and deforestation cause erosion
- Terraces and contour farming control erosion
- Mulching covers and protects the soil
Test yourself
