A Discussion On Erosion

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The only constant is change. Although this saying is mostly used in the context of our day to day lives, it can also be applied to the state of our environment. The world around us is constantly changing, and one of the ways this change occurs is via erosion. Erosion is the process by which soil, rock, or land is gradually worn away due to the action of rain, wind, and other natural elements. Over time, it causes visible changes in the landscape, but it also effects changes that aren’t as easily observed, at least directly.

When we hear the word erosion, we most likely think of it in a negative light. It’s actually a natural occurring process; however, it’s very important to note that without the interference caused by uncontrolled human activity, it actually has benefits. It can help to feed water sources with essential nutrients, thus benefitting local aquatic ecosystems. It also helps to relocate carbon, usually in the form of organic matter, to wetland areas, which can store the carbon for a very long time. This can help to slow the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and thus slow the observed in global atmospheric temperatures, also known as the greenhouse effect.

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Discovering Darby’s Sinkhole (Photo courtesy Joseph Prosper)

Erosion also replenishes and redistributes minerals. Rocks are one of the base ingredients for soil, and they are rich in minerals that are necessary for soil to be considered healthy, capable of supporting rich vegetation growth. Over time, rocks are broken down into smaller and smaller particles, all the time adding nutrients to the surrounding soil. So the erosion of rocks contributed to the fertility of the lovely topsoil that’s hosting your beautiful flower or fruit garden. Certain gases, such as carbon dioxide, dissolved in water, can enhance its ability to dissolve certain minerals. Caves – which tend to be found in areas that are rich in limestone – are one of the beautiful works of art that form during the process of chemical erosion. As mentioned before, these scenarios are just fine under conditions where mankind hasn’t upset the delicate ecosystem balances. What happens when we tip the scales?

Erosion aggravated by human activity such as indiscriminate cutting of trees, leaving the land unprotected against the direct effects of wind and rain, can be very destructive. Too much sedimentation in water courses blocks out sunlight that aquatic plants need in order to make their own food. If too much soil gets relocated, along with the organic matter and nutrients, the soil’s capacity to sustain vegetation is reduced. Needless to say, it’s much more difficult for vegetation to grow on land that has been stripped down to the rocks, or has lost its nutrients. Also, unprotected land – especially hillsides – are especially vulnerable to destructive flash floods and landslides during stormy weather. Excessive acidic rain and runoff accelerates the chemical erosion process. Some of these chemicals are also harmful for plants that are exposed to them when they seep into the soil.

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Erosion as a natural process helps to create beautiful natural formations like caves and sinkholes and even to restore natural environments, but unsustainable human development can transform it into a destructive force of nature. (Photo by Sherrel Charles)

There are some things we can do to avoid tipping the scales towards where erosion becomes destructive rather than restorative. Trees shouldn’t be cut down indiscriminately. Instead, consider finding ways to incorporate them into your project. If it is absolutely necessary to remove trees, it would be best to plant vegetation in areas that will be exposed to rain, wind and the elements. Development on hillsides needs to be planned in such a way that the landscaping prevents uncontrolled water runoff. Reduced usage of fossil fuels helps to reduce the amounts of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and other gases that are released into the atmosphere, thus reducing acid rain.

While we cannot prevent the process of erosion in its normal state free from human influences, we must be mindful that we do not tip the scales so that it becomes a scourge on our ecosystem’s delicate balance.

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