SCIENCE PROJECTWORK

HOW DO PLANTS PREVENT SOIL EROSION?

HOW TO PREVENT SOIL EROSION

Did you know that soil erosion is a natural process that normally causes little problems? However, when it comes to your lawn, it is undesirable. There are two factors related to soil erosion. The first is the speed at which wind, water, or whatever agent that causes erosion is moving. The second is the amount of plant coverage there is in the area. In other words a thick and healthy lawn will have minimal soil erosion. The grass provides a protective cover for the soil which helps in preventing erosion.

SOME METHODS THAT CAN HELP PREVENT SOIL EROSIONEncourage rich soil with organic matter

that works as a glue for the soil Block water paths with stone or wooden

retaining walls. Plan and encourage proper drainageFollow lawn and garden care guidelines to

promote healthy plants.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANTS AND GRASS WITH SOIL EROSIONGrass is important because it helps slow down the flow of

water allowing it to soak into the ground rather than runoff. The roots from the washed away. Grass also deplants help hold the soil together to prevent it from beicreases the impact of raindrops hitting the soil. This is important because the top layer of the soil is removed first which happens to be a nutrient rich layer. Do your part and you will end up with a health landscape that has little if any soil erosion.

MULCHINGMulching trees and shrubs is a good

method to reduce landscape maintenance and keep plants healthy. Mulch helps conserve moisture --- 10 to 25 percent reduction in soil moisture loss from evaporation. Mulches help keep the soil well aerated by reducing soil compaction that results when raindrops hit the soil.

MULCHING

Mulches prevent loss of water from the soil by evaporation. Mulches reduce the growth of weeds, when the mulch material

itself is weed-free and applied deeply enough to prevent weed germination or to smother existing weeds.

Mulches keep the soil cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, thus maintaining a more even soil temperature.

Mulches prevent soil splashing, which not only stops erosion but keeps soil-borne diseases from splashing up onto the plants.

Mulches prevent crusting of the soil surface, thus improving the absorption and movement of water into the soil.

Mulches help prevent soil compaction. Mulched plants have more roots than plants that are not mulched,

because mulched plants will produce additional roots in the mulch that surrounds them

MULCHING PLANTS AND SHURUBS FOR GROWTH AND

HEALTH

MULCHING