What Is Topsoil Erosion?

Topsoil erosion occurs when areas of disturbed earth are left bare and open to the environmental elements--wind, sun and rain. The soil erodes away, leaving layers of soil that contain less nutrients and are therefore less likely to support new vegetative life.

Wind

Wind causes topsoil erosion by blowing away the surface layers of the soil, which contain the freshest soil nutrients. Airborne soil dust causes environmental air and health concerns.

Water

Topsoil erosion is also caused by water that washes away the surface layers of bare soil. Soil washing into walkways and drainage systems is a public health concern.

Considerations

Adding vegetation to bare soil areas dramatically lessens the occurrence of topsoil erosion. The root systems help to hold the soil in place.

Effects

The right vegetation for the environment not only prevents drastic soil erosion, it also cools the environment of the soil, as it protects it from the sun's heat, making it more livable for beneficial insects that help to replenish the soil's content.

Significance

Vegetation that acts as cover crops also replenishes the soil's content by reseeding the topsoil every year so that it grows again, and by its dead stalks and leaves mixing with the soil to rebuild its topsoil for the next growing season.

Resources

• Topsoil's Limited Turnover: A Crisis in Time
• Erosion Takes Top Soil, Leaves Liability
• Topsoil Erosion Expensive and Preventable