Assessment of Soil Erosion

Land degradation has been a problem ever since humans settled the land and started to cultivate the soil and grazed domesticated animals. At times land degradation has become so severe that it has contributed to the decline of civilizations. Degradation of agricultural land by soil erosion is a worldwide phenomenon leading to loss of nutrient rich surface soil increased runoff from more impermeable subsoil and decreased water availability to plants. Thus estimation of soil loss and identification of critical area for implementation of best management practice is central to success of a soil conservation program.