Question

notes-soil erosion
i. soil erosion
a. erosion- the removal of soil by _____, wind, _____ or gravity from one area to another
b. it is a _____________ that occurs continuously on the _____________ surface
c. _____________ help to keep erosion in check because the _____ hold the soil particles together
ii. human activities that increase soil erosion
a. when people _____________ a large area of land, erosion occurs _____________ than the soil can be replaced
b. some activities include:
i. over _______________
ii. overgrazing
iii. strip _______________
iv. mountaintop removal
v. _______________________
vi. clear _______________________
iii. over tilling
a. tilling refers to the _____________________ of the soil to loosen it before _____________________.
b. loosens the soil and makes it _______________________ to erosion

Explanation:

To solve this fill - in - the - blank on soil erosion, we refer to the knowledge of environmental sciences (a sub - field of natural science) about soil erosion:

Part I: Soil Erosion

a.

Erosion is the removal of soil by water, wind, ice or gravity from one area to another. Water (like in the case of rain - fed runoff), ice (glacial movement can also erode soil), along with wind and gravity, are the main agents of soil erosion.

b.

It is a natural process that occurs continuously on the Earth's surface. Soil erosion is a natural geological process, although human activities can accelerate it. And it takes place on the surface of the Earth.

c.

Plants (or Vegetation) help to keep erosion in check because the roots hold the soil particles together. The root systems of plants bind the soil, reducing the chances of it being carried away by erosive agents.

Part II: Human activities that increase soil erosion

a.

When people deforest (or clear) a large area of land, erosion occurs faster than the soil can be replaced. Removing vegetation (by deforestation or clearing land) removes the natural protection against erosion, and the rate of erosion becomes higher than the rate of soil formation.

b.

i. Over farming (or cultivation)
ii. Overgrazing
iii. Strip mining
iv. Mountaintop removal
v. Construction (or Urbanization)
vi. Clear cutting (of forests)

Part III: Over Tilling

a.

Tilling refers to the mechanical agitation (or plowing) of the soil to loosen it before planting (or sowing seeds). Tilling is a common agricultural practice to prepare the soil for crops.

b.

Loosens the soil and makes it more vulnerable (or susceptible) to erosion. When the soil is tilled too much, its structure is broken down, and it is more easily carried away by wind or water.

Answer:

s (filled in the blanks):
I. a. water; ice
b. natural process; Earth's
c. Plants (Vegetation); roots
II. a. deforest (clear); faster
b. i. farming (cultivation); iii. mining; v. Construction (Urbanization); vi. cutting (of forests)
III. a. mechanical agitation (plowing); planting (sowing seeds)
b. more vulnerable (susceptible)