Why does sheet erosion occur

Sheet erosion occurs when rainfall intensity is greater than infiltration sometimes due to crusting. Rarely seen but accounts for large volumes of soil loss. Sheet erosion rarely flows for more than a few meters before concentrating into rills.

Soil particles are only transported not detached. However, sandy soils are vulnerable to wind erosion because they cannot store very much moisture and have low fertility. This limits their use in Queensland, with only small areas where irrigation is available being cultivated for horticulture or growing vegetables.

Home Environment, land and water Land, housing and property Land and vegetation management Soil management Erosion Types of erosion. Print Types of erosion Soil erosion is a widespread problem in rural and urban Queensland. The vulnerability of soils to water erosion depends on: rainfall intensity erosivity —high intensity rainfall creates serious risk as heavy drops on bare soil causes the soil surface to seal nature of the soil erodibility —clay soils vary in their ability to withstand raindrop impact slope length—if a slope is long, water running down the slope becomes deeper and moves faster, taking more soil with it slope steepness—the speed of runoff increases on steep slopes, which increases the power of water to break off and carry soil particles.

Rill and sheet erosion on a cultivated paddock. Scalded landscape, Western Queensland. A highly eroded gully. Tunnel erosion in Marburg, Queensland. Severe stream bank erosion. Erosive flooding on a floodplain. Example of mass movement—landslip on a steep slope near Coolangatta, Queensland. Dust storm, western Queensland, in October Last updated: 18 December Last reviewed: 24 March Share this page: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn.

Annual flood has been on top causes of soil erosion every year. The areas that experience heavy rainfall and fall under flood-prone areas are more susceptible to sheet erosion. The thickness of the raindrops and wind force also plays a major role in sheet erosion. The pressure applied on the ground due to the falling raindrops, causes the thin layers of soil to wash away easily with the rain.

Uneven or loose soils are more prone to erosion. We must make sure that the cultivated lands are not too loose, as it gives rise to rill erosion and gully erosion. The damages caused by sheet and gully erosion are huge leading to sidewall collapsing and agricultural loss. A large amount of deforestation has also resulted in the loss of soil due to sheet erosion. Since, trees hold a high water holding capacity, cutting down of trees results in loosening of the soil and waterlogging.

Glymph, L. Union, 38 6 , — Jutson, J. Victoria, 32 1 , 20— King, L. Edinburgh Geol. Reich, B. Schumm, S. Smith, D.