Q1. Define soil erosion? Explain the main causes of soil erosion. Discuss the major factors influencing water erosion.
- Soil erosion: Detachment, transport, deposition of soil particles by natural or human agents.
- Main causes: Natural (water, wind, gravity) and human (deforestation, overgrazing, tillage).
- Water erosion manifests as splash, sheet, rill, and gully erosion.
- Rainfall Erosivity (R): Intensity and kinetic energy of raindrops determine erosion potential.
Answer: Soil erosion is fundamentally defined as the process involving the detachment, transportation, and subsequent deposition of soil particles from their original location. This natural geological process, crucial for landform development, becomes a significant environmental concern when accelerated beyond natural rates by human activities. It is a two-phase phenomenon, first involving the dislodgement of soil particles and then their movement by erosive agents. The primary agents responsible for ...