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Jump to navigationJump to searchCreated page with 'File:lighterstill.jpgright|frame '''Erosion''' is the process of weathering and transport of solids (sediment, soil, rock and other par...'
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'''Erosion''' is the [[process]] of weathering and [[transport]] of [[solids]] (sediment, [[soil]], rock and other particles) in the [[natural]] [[environment]] or their [[source]] and deposits them elsewhere. It usually occurs due to [[transport]] by [[wind]], [[water]], or [[ice]]; by down-slope creep of [[soil]] and other [[material]] under the [[force]] of [[gravity]]; or by living [[organisms]], such as burrowing [[animals]], in the case of bioerosion.
Erosion is a [[natural]] [[process]], but it has been increased dramatically by [[human]] land use, especially industrial [[agriculture]], deforestation, and urban sprawl. [[Land]] that is used for industrial [[agriculture]] generally [[experiences]] a significant greater [[rate]] of erosion than that of [[land]] under [[natural]] vegetation, or land used for [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_agriculture sustainable agricultural] [[practices]]. This is particularly true if tillage is used, which reduces vegetation cover on the [[surface]] of the [[soil]] and disturbs both [[soil]] [[structure]] and [[plant]] [[roots]] that would otherwise hold the soil in place. However, improved land use practices can limit erosion, using [[techniques]] such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrace_(agriculture) terrace]-building, [[conservation]] tillage practices, and tree planting.
A certain amount of erosion is [[natural]] and, in [[fact]], healthy for the ecosystem. For example, gravels continuously move downstream in watercourses. Excessive erosion, however, causes serious [[problems]], such as receiving water [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sediment sedimentation], ecosystem damage and outright loss of [[soil]].
Erosion is distinguished from weathering, which is the [[process]] of [[chemical]] or [[physical]] breakdown of the minerals in the rocks, although the two processes may occur concurrently.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erosion]
[[Category: Earth Science]]
'''Erosion''' is the [[process]] of weathering and [[transport]] of [[solids]] (sediment, [[soil]], rock and other particles) in the [[natural]] [[environment]] or their [[source]] and deposits them elsewhere. It usually occurs due to [[transport]] by [[wind]], [[water]], or [[ice]]; by down-slope creep of [[soil]] and other [[material]] under the [[force]] of [[gravity]]; or by living [[organisms]], such as burrowing [[animals]], in the case of bioerosion.
Erosion is a [[natural]] [[process]], but it has been increased dramatically by [[human]] land use, especially industrial [[agriculture]], deforestation, and urban sprawl. [[Land]] that is used for industrial [[agriculture]] generally [[experiences]] a significant greater [[rate]] of erosion than that of [[land]] under [[natural]] vegetation, or land used for [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_agriculture sustainable agricultural] [[practices]]. This is particularly true if tillage is used, which reduces vegetation cover on the [[surface]] of the [[soil]] and disturbs both [[soil]] [[structure]] and [[plant]] [[roots]] that would otherwise hold the soil in place. However, improved land use practices can limit erosion, using [[techniques]] such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrace_(agriculture) terrace]-building, [[conservation]] tillage practices, and tree planting.
A certain amount of erosion is [[natural]] and, in [[fact]], healthy for the ecosystem. For example, gravels continuously move downstream in watercourses. Excessive erosion, however, causes serious [[problems]], such as receiving water [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sediment sedimentation], ecosystem damage and outright loss of [[soil]].
Erosion is distinguished from weathering, which is the [[process]] of [[chemical]] or [[physical]] breakdown of the minerals in the rocks, although the two processes may occur concurrently.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erosion]
[[Category: Earth Science]]
