Prevention of Soil Erosion and Torrential Floods

Introduction

Lithosphere is one of the most vital yet fragile resources on earth, playing essential roles in all living things. In the process of achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs), an enhanced pressure is being exerted on SDGs related to water, food, climate and health (Keesstra et al., 2018). About sixty percent increase in the demand of fiber, feed and food is projected during the coming years due to the population growth (FAO, 2015). In order to fulfil certain aspects of sustainable generation, including zero hunger, no poverty, well-being and good health, it is required that land be searched for satisfying these needs via development and agricultural activities, which result in land degradation problems. Hence, land and soil conservation need immediate attention.

Soil science, among other land-associated disciplines, is significantly related to many of SDGs. Moreover, land degradation directly affects lithosphere and hydrosphere. Among several concerns related to land degradation, one of the important that attracts scientists and stakeholders is soil erosion (Baveye et al. 2016; Keesstra et al., 2016). Soil erosion has become a prevalent issue in several countries apart from being a global problem. Soil erosion can be understood as destruction of soil due to natural phenomena involving wind, snow and water and anthropogenic factors like extensive and intensive agriculture, which are happening simultaneously. Depending on the intensity, soil erosion can be a natural process taking place for millions of years, resulting in the formation of new soils, or it can be an accelerated process due to anthropogenic activities comprising of overgrazing, deforestation and farming practices that are not sustainable leading to loss of soil greater than its formation (Holy, 1980).

Several studies have presented adverse effects of soil erosion on water quality, agricultural production and the health of the ecosystem (Fayas et al., 2019). Some of the aspects leading to soil erosion include terrain, land cover, climate erosivity and soil erodibility. Agricultural activities are impacted due to soil erosion which results in reduced productivity. The impact of erosion on soil productivity can be seen both on-site and as off-site. This is a consequence of 3 interaction effects - long-term, small productivity and reduced soil quality (Lal, 2001).

Soil particles in agricultural lands detach and segregate from soil mass when rain water droplets hit the soil surface. Such unceasing exposure to heavy rainfall significantly deteriorates the soil. Several researchers have presented the effects of cropping on erosion rates of soil, resulting in denudation of topsoil reducing soil fertility (Nearing et al., 2017; Ahmad et al., 2020).

Soil erosion not only affects productivity and results in loss of nutrients, siltation of water bodies, but it also affects the public health of marginal communities across the globe that are contingent on agriculture (Meena et al., 2017). Human activities like the expansion of agricultural lands, conversion of forest lands, deforestation, shifting cultivation on steep slopes, rapid urbanization, road construction and other progressive activities followed by poor soil preservation, high rainfall and enhanced soil erosivity are the reasons for higher rates of soil loss and sedimentation of water bodies like rivers and lakes which result in reduced water quality and recreation (Markose et al., 2016; Al-Abadi et al., 2016; Dutta, 2016; Barman et al., 2020).