Home Garden

How to Prevent Land Erosion

Each year, land erosion poses serious problems to the ecosystem and private property, alike. Erosion, which affects almost 40 percent of the world's agricultural land, destroys the natural habitats of all sorts of plants through degradation. To an extent, erosion is a natural process that removes soil at roughly the same rate as it's replaced. However, studies have shown that humans cause a majority of erosion. This also means that there are steps that can be taken to prevent erosion, too.

Things You'll Need

  • Plants
  • Matting
  • Mulch or fertilizer
  • Retaining wall
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Plant trees, flowers and other plants in the soil you fear may be becoming eroded. Their root systems will help anchor the soil and prevent land erosion.

    • 2

      Use matting or one of the other erosion-prevention products offered in garden stores or online. Matting is a fabric laid down on the afflicted soil and allows plants and vegetation to grow through it, thereby holding down the root system and protecting the soil from erosion.

    • 3

      Add mulch or fertilizer to your soil. Not only will it help promote plant growth, it will add a protective layer through which rain and runoff runs at a slower pace to protect the soil.

    • 4

      Build a retaining wall (made from brick or other stone) to protect your land from erosion. A wall will serve as a barrier to retain any water that might cause runoff. It will also help keep your plants well fed.