What Ways Does Nature Use to Prevent Erosion?

Causes of Erosion

• Erosion is caused by two primary natural forces: water and wind. These forces are so strong that they can move and level mountains, render land infertile, and reduce landmasses over time. Fortunately, these transformations often take centuries, allowing nature to enact preventive and replenishing measures. Unfortunately, these measures take time as well. And man is not helping the case. Incessant mining, logging, and other natural resources-exploitative operations have severely sped up and aided the erosion process.

Plants

• Mother Earth's natural self-preservation methods against erosion starts with the vegetation she sprouts up everywhere. Weeds, grasses, and a slew of other plants are considered the first line of defense against erosion. Against wind, the roots of plants allow the particles of any landscape to compact and stay together, enough to resist the godly forces of the air. Against water, plants serve as a top layer buffer that prevents the top particles of the land to wash away with the constant flow of water, be it via heavy rainfall or through the constant bombardment coming from natural bodies of water such as the sea and lakes.

Trees

• Every person is taught at an early age what happens when irresponsible logging and mining depletes the rich forests and tree-filled sanctuaries. Avalanches abound, farms are destroyed, and mountains and hills are leveled. These still happen today since man, even with awareness, still continues to eat up the earth tree by tree. Unfortunately, without trees, water and wind erosion quickly destroys landscapes. The roots of the trees keep top and deep soil compact and strong enough to weather water or wind erosion. Aside from that, trees shed branches, twigs, and leaves, which fall to the ground to form mulch, another buffer against erosion. Nature will keep replenishing the forests over time, however, it takes centuries to do so, especially if man does not help and keeps chopping down trees.

Destruction

• While it may not be scientifically backed up, many experts believe nature has shown a lot of drastic and destructive responses to erosion, especially if man has aided in it. Volcanic eruptions are such examples. A volcanic eruption is one way to replenish the nutrients of a landscape that has been eroded. The molten lava, when cooled and aged, becomes part of the soil enriching its fertility, basically creating a fresher layer of soil perfect for new wildlife. Earthquakes are examples as well. They can level man-made structures that contribute to erosion and the depletion of the earth's resources.