Climate & Environment
Soil Erosion
The removal of topsoil by water, wind and tillage — occurring at rates far above natural soil formation on much of the world's farmland.
Definition
Soil erosion is the detachment and transport of soil particles by water, wind or tillage, accelerated by vegetation removal, overgrazing, inappropriate cultivation and construction. Erosion rates on conventionally tilled farmland commonly exceed soil formation rates by one to two orders of magnitude; consequences include lost fertility and yields, sedimentation of rivers and reservoirs, and downstream pollution from attached nutrients and pesticides.
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