Erosion is the method by which the floor of the Earth is worn away by the motion of water, wind, ice, or different pure forces. It’s a steady course of that occurs over lengthy durations of time and may have a big influence on the panorama. Erosion could cause soil loss, which might result in decreased agricultural productiveness and environmental issues. It could possibly additionally trigger landslides, which might injury infrastructure and threaten human life.
Water erosion is the commonest kind of abrasion. It happens when water flows over the land, selecting up soil particles and carrying them away. Wind erosion happens when robust winds blow throughout the land, selecting up free soil particles and carrying them away. Ice erosion happens when glaciers or ice sheets transfer throughout the land, scraping and gouging the floor. Different kinds of erosion embrace chemical erosion, which happens when acids or different chemical substances dissolve rocks and minerals, and organic erosion, which happens when vegetation and animals break down rocks and minerals.
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Erosion is a fancy course of that may have a big influence on the panorama. Within the following sections, we are going to focus on the several types of erosion, the causes of abrasion, and the results of abrasion.
What’s erosion
Erosion is the method by which the Earth’s floor is worn away.
- Pure course of
- Worn away by water, wind, ice
- May cause soil loss
- May cause landslides
- Can influence panorama
- Various kinds of erosion
- Water erosion most typical
- Wind erosion additionally important
- Ice erosion can form mountains
- Erosion generally is a drawback
Erosion is a fancy course of that may have a big influence on the setting. You will need to perceive the several types of erosion and the causes of abrasion in an effort to develop methods to stop or mitigate the results of abrasion.
Pure course of
Erosion is a pure course of that has been occurring for tens of millions of years. It’s a steady course of that occurs over lengthy durations of time and may have a big influence on the panorama. Erosion is brought on by the motion of water, wind, ice, and different pure forces. These forces can break down rocks and minerals, transport them from one place to a different, and deposit them in new places.
Water erosion is the commonest kind of abrasion. It happens when water flows over the land, selecting up soil particles and carrying them away. Water erosion could be brought on by rainfall, runoff from melting snow or ice, or flooding. Wind erosion happens when robust winds blow throughout the land, selecting up free soil particles and carrying them away. Wind erosion is most typical in dry, windy areas with sparse vegetation.
Ice erosion happens when glaciers or ice sheets transfer throughout the land, scraping and gouging the floor. Ice erosion can create deep valleys, fjords, and different landforms. Different kinds of erosion embrace chemical erosion, which happens when acids or different chemical substances dissolve rocks and minerals, and organic erosion, which happens when vegetation and animals break down rocks and minerals.
Erosion is a pure course of that may be useful or dangerous. On the one hand, erosion will help to create new landforms, akin to mountains and valleys. It could possibly additionally assist to move vitamins from one place to a different, which will help to assist plant progress. Then again, erosion will also be an issue. It could possibly trigger soil loss, which might result in decreased agricultural productiveness and environmental issues. It could possibly additionally trigger landslides, which might injury infrastructure and threaten human life.
Total, erosion is a fancy course of that may have a big influence on the panorama. You will need to perceive the several types of erosion and the causes of abrasion in an effort to develop methods to stop or mitigate the results of abrasion.
Worn away by water, wind, ice
Erosion is the method by which the Earth’s floor is worn away. There are various totally different forces that may trigger erosion, however the commonest are water, wind, and ice.
Water erosion
Water erosion is the commonest kind of abrasion. It happens when water flows over the land, selecting up soil particles and carrying them away. Water erosion could be brought on by rainfall, runoff from melting snow or ice, or flooding. The speed of water erosion is dependent upon a variety of components, together with the quantity of rainfall, the slope of the land, and the kind of soil.
Water erosion generally is a major problem. It could possibly trigger soil loss, which might result in decreased agricultural productiveness and environmental issues. It could possibly additionally trigger landslides, which might injury infrastructure and threaten human life.
Wind erosion
Wind erosion happens when robust winds blow throughout the land, selecting up free soil particles and carrying them away. Wind erosion is most typical in dry, windy areas with sparse vegetation. The speed of wind erosion is dependent upon a variety of components, together with the wind pace, the quantity of free soil, and the kind of soil.
Wind erosion will also be a major problem. It could possibly trigger soil loss, which might result in decreased agricultural productiveness and environmental issues. It could possibly additionally create mud storms, which generally is a hazard to human well being.
Ice erosion
Ice erosion happens when glaciers or ice sheets transfer throughout the land, scraping and gouging the floor. Ice erosion can create deep valleys, fjords, and different landforms. The speed of ice erosion is dependent upon a variety of components, together with the thickness of the glacier or ice sheet, the pace at which it’s transferring, and the kind of rock or soil that it’s eroding.
Ice erosion generally is a very gradual course of, nevertheless it will also be very efficient. Glaciers and ice sheets can transfer massive quantities of rock and soil, and so they can create dramatic modifications to the panorama.
Total, erosion is a fancy course of that may be brought on by quite a lot of forces. Water, wind, and ice are the commonest causes of abrasion, however different components, akin to gravity and chemical reactions, can even play a job.
May cause soil loss
Soil loss is without doubt one of the most critical issues brought on by erosion. Soil is a useful useful resource that’s important for plant progress. It gives vitamins, water, and assist for vegetation. When soil is misplaced by way of erosion, it might probably have a variety of damaging penalties.
Decreased agricultural productiveness
Soil loss can result in decreased agricultural productiveness. When soil is eroded, it loses its vitamins and natural matter. This makes it much less fertile and fewer capable of assist plant progress. Consequently, farmers might have to make use of extra fertilizer and pesticides to get the identical yield from their crops. This may enhance the price of meals manufacturing and make it tougher for farmers to make a dwelling.
Environmental issues
Soil loss can even result in a variety of environmental issues. When soil is eroded, it may be carried away by water or wind and deposited elsewhere, akin to rivers, lakes, and oceans. This may trigger sedimentation, which might clog waterways and make them much less navigable. Sedimentation can even injury coral reefs and different marine ecosystems.
Soil erosion can even result in the lack of biodiversity. When soil is eroded, it might probably expose naked rock or subsoil, which is much less hospitable to vegetation and animals. This may result in the lack of habitat for a lot of totally different species of vegetation and animals.
Different issues
Soil loss can even trigger a variety of different issues, akin to:
- Elevated flooding
- Landslides
- Mud storms
- Harm to infrastructure
Total, soil loss is a major problem that may have a variety of damaging penalties. You will need to take steps to stop soil erosion and to revive eroded soils.
There are a variety of issues that may be accomplished to stop soil erosion, together with:
- Planting bushes and different vegetation
- Utilizing terraces and contour farming
- Overlaying the soil with mulch
- Utilizing no-till farming practices
If soil has been eroded, there are a variety of issues that may be accomplished to revive it, together with:
- Including compost or different natural matter to the soil
- Planting cowl crops
- Utilizing terraces and contour farming
- Utilizing no-till farming practices
By taking steps to stop soil erosion and to revive eroded soils, we will help to guard this useful useful resource and be certain that it’s out there for future generations.
May cause landslides
Landslides are a sort of mass losing, which is the motion of rock and soil down a slope. Landslides could be brought on by quite a lot of components, together with erosion, earthquakes, and heavy rainfall. Nevertheless, erosion is without doubt one of the most typical causes of landslides.
How erosion could cause landslides
Erosion could cause landslides in a variety of methods. First, erosion can weaken the soil and make it extra prone to landslides. When soil is eroded, it loses its vitamins and natural matter. This makes it much less cohesive and extra more likely to collapse. Second, erosion can create steep slopes, which usually tend to expertise landslides. When soil is eroded from the underside of a slope, it might probably create an overhang. This overhang can finally collapse, triggering a landslide.
Landslides could be very harmful. They will destroy properties and companies, block roads and railways, and even kill individuals. As well as, landslides can have a damaging influence on the setting. They will pollute water sources, injury forests, and create new hazards, akin to particles flows and mudslides.
Stopping landslides
There are a variety of issues that may be accomplished to stop landslides, together with:
- Decreasing erosion
- Stabilizing slopes
- Bettering drainage
- Managing vegetation
Decreasing erosion is without doubt one of the most necessary issues that may be accomplished to stop landslides. This may be accomplished through the use of terraces and contour farming, planting bushes and different vegetation, and utilizing no-till farming practices.
Stabilizing slopes can even assist to stop landslides. This may be accomplished by constructing retaining partitions, putting in drainage techniques, and utilizing geotextiles.
Bettering drainage can even assist to stop landslides. This may be accomplished by putting in drains and culverts, and by clearing away particles from streams and rivers.
Managing vegetation can even assist to stop landslides. This may be accomplished by planting bushes and different vegetation on slopes, and by eradicating useless or dying bushes.
By taking steps to stop landslides, we will help to guard lives and property, and we are able to additionally assist to guard the setting.
Can influence panorama
Erosion can have a big influence on the panorama. It could possibly put on away mountains, create valleys, and form coastlines. Erosion can even expose new rocks and minerals, which might result in the formation of latest landforms.
How erosion can influence the panorama
Erosion can influence the panorama in a variety of methods. First, erosion can put on away mountains. This may create valleys and canyons, and it might probably additionally expose new rocks and minerals. These new rocks and minerals could be weathered and eroded, creating new landforms.
Second, erosion can create new land. When sediment is deposited by water, wind, or ice, it might probably create new landforms, akin to deltas, sandbars, and seashores. These new landforms can present habitat for vegetation and animals, and so they will also be used for agriculture and different functions.
Third, erosion can change the course of rivers and streams. When a river or stream erodes its banks, it might probably create new channels. These new channels can change the stream of water, which might have a variety of penalties. For instance, it might probably result in flooding, it might probably injury infrastructure, and it might probably change the habitat for vegetation and animals.
Total, erosion is a robust pressure that may form the panorama in quite a lot of methods. It could possibly put on away mountains, create valleys, and form coastlines. It could possibly additionally expose new rocks and minerals, create new land, and alter the course of rivers and streams.
Examples of how erosion has impacted the panorama
There are various examples of how erosion has impacted the panorama. A few of the most well-known examples embrace:
- The Grand Canyon in america was shaped by the Colorado River over tens of millions of years.
- The Niagara Falls in Canada and america have been shaped by the Niagara River over hundreds of years.
- The shoreline of California is consistently altering as a result of erosion.
- The seashores in Florida are always being eroded by waves.
These are just some examples of how erosion can influence the panorama. Erosion is a pure course of that’s always shaping the Earth’s floor.
Various kinds of erosion
There are various several types of erosion, every with its personal distinctive traits. The commonest kinds of erosion are:
- Water erosion
- Wind erosion
- Ice erosion
- Chemical erosion
- Organic erosion
Water erosion
Water erosion is the commonest kind of abrasion. It happens when water flows over the land, selecting up soil particles and carrying them away. Water erosion could be brought on by rainfall, runoff from melting snow or ice, or flooding. The speed of water erosion is dependent upon a variety of components, together with the quantity of rainfall, the slope of the land, and the kind of soil.
Wind erosion
Wind erosion happens when robust winds blow throughout the land, selecting up free soil particles and carrying them away. Wind erosion is most typical in dry, windy areas with sparse vegetation. The speed of wind erosion is dependent upon a variety of components, together with the wind pace, the quantity of free soil, and the kind of soil.
Ice erosion
Ice erosion happens when glaciers or ice sheets transfer throughout the land, scraping and gouging the floor. Ice erosion can create deep valleys, fjords, and different landforms. The speed of ice erosion is dependent upon a variety of components, together with the thickness of the glacier or ice sheet, the pace at which it’s transferring, and the kind of rock or soil that it’s eroding.
Chemical erosion
Chemical erosion happens when acids or different chemical substances dissolve rocks and minerals. Chemical erosion is most typical in areas with excessive ranges of rainfall or acidity. The speed of chemical erosion is dependent upon a variety of components, together with the kind of rock or soil, the quantity of rainfall or acidity, and the temperature.
Organic erosion
Organic erosion happens when vegetation and animals break down rocks and minerals. Organic erosion is most typical in areas with numerous vegetation. The speed of organic erosion is dependent upon a variety of components, together with the kind of vegetation and animals, the quantity of vegetation, and the local weather.
These are just some of the several types of erosion. Erosion is a fancy course of that may be brought on by quite a lot of forces. The kind of erosion that happens in a selected space is dependent upon a variety of components, together with the local weather, the geology, and the land use.
Water erosion most typical
Water erosion is the commonest kind of abrasion. It happens when water flows over the land, selecting up soil particles and carrying them away. Water erosion could be brought on by rainfall, runoff from melting snow or ice, or flooding. The speed of water erosion is dependent upon a variety of components, together with the quantity of rainfall, the slope of the land, and the kind of soil.
Why is water erosion the commonest kind of abrasion?
There are a variety of the explanation why water erosion is the commonest kind of abrasion. First, water is a really highly effective pressure. It could possibly transfer massive quantities of sediment, even over lengthy distances. Second, water is quite common. It’s present in all elements of the world, and it might probably happen in quite a lot of types, akin to rain, snow, and ice.
Components that have an effect on the speed of water erosion
The speed of water erosion is dependent upon a variety of components, together with:
- Quantity of rainfall: The extra rainfall an space receives, the better the potential for water erosion. It’s because extra rainfall means extra water flowing over the land.
- Slope of the land: The steeper the slope of the land, the better the potential for water erosion. It’s because water flows quicker down steep slopes, and it’s extra more likely to decide up soil particles and carry them away.
- Kind of soil: Some soils are extra prone to erosion than others. For instance, sandy soils are extra simply eroded than clay soils. It’s because sandy soils have bigger particles which might be extra simply indifferent by water.
Different components that may have an effect on the speed of water erosion embrace the kind of vegetation, the presence of terraces or different conservation practices, and the frequency of flooding.
Penalties of water erosion
Water erosion can have a variety of damaging penalties, together with:
- Lack of soil: Water erosion can take away useful topsoil, which might result in decreased agricultural productiveness.
- Sedimentation: Water erosion can even result in sedimentation, which is the deposition of sediment in rivers, lakes, and oceans. Sedimentation can clog waterways and make them much less navigable. It could possibly additionally injury coral reefs and different marine ecosystems.
- Flooding: Water erosion can even enhance the chance of flooding. It’s because eroded soil can fill in channels and make it tougher for water to stream. Consequently, water is extra more likely to overflow and trigger flooding.
Water erosion is a major problem that may have a variety of damaging penalties. Nevertheless, there are a variety of issues that may be accomplished to stop water erosion, together with:
- Planting bushes and different vegetation: Vegetation will help to carry soil in place and cut back the quantity of abrasion.
- Utilizing terraces and contour farming: Terraces and contour farming will help to decelerate the stream of water and cut back erosion.
- Overlaying the soil with mulch: Mulch will help to guard the soil from erosion by wind and water.
- Utilizing no-till farming practices: No-till farming practices will help to maintain soil in place and cut back erosion.
Wind erosion additionally important
Wind erosion is the second most typical kind of abrasion. It happens when robust winds blow throughout the land, selecting up free soil particles and carrying them away. Wind erosion is most typical in dry, windy areas with sparse vegetation. The speed of wind erosion is dependent upon a variety of components, together with the wind pace, the quantity of free soil, and the kind of soil.
- Wind erosion can take away massive quantities of soil: Wind erosion can take away massive quantities of soil, even over lengthy distances. In some circumstances, wind erosion can take away as a lot as 1 inch of soil per 12 months.
- Wind erosion can injury crops: Wind erosion can injury crops by exposing their roots and making them extra prone to illness. Wind erosion can even take away vitamins from the soil, making it much less productive.
- Wind erosion can create mud storms: Wind erosion can even create mud storms. Mud storms can cut back visibility, trigger respiratory issues, and injury crops.
- Wind erosion can unfold pests and illnesses: Wind erosion can even unfold pests and illnesses. For instance, wind erosion can unfold the spores of fungi that trigger plant illnesses.
Wind erosion is a major problem that may have a variety of damaging penalties. Nevertheless, there are a variety of issues that may be accomplished to stop wind erosion, together with:
- Planting bushes and different vegetation: Vegetation will help to carry soil in place and cut back the quantity of wind erosion.
- Utilizing terraces and contour farming: Terraces and contour farming will help to decelerate the wind and cut back erosion.
- Overlaying the soil with mulch: Mulch will help to guard the soil from erosion by wind and water.
- Utilizing no-till farming practices: No-till farming practices will help to maintain soil in place and cut back erosion.
Ice erosion can form mountains
Ice erosion is a robust pressure that may form mountains in quite a lot of methods. Glaciers and ice sheets can carve deep valleys, create cirques, and depart behind moraines. Ice erosion can even expose new rocks and minerals, which might result in the formation of latest landforms.
- Glaciers and ice sheets can carve deep valleys: Glaciers and ice sheets can carve deep valleys by scraping and gouging the rock beneath them. These valleys are sometimes U-shaped, with steep sides and a flat backside.
- Glaciers and ice sheets can create cirques: Cirques are bowl-shaped depressions which might be shaped by glaciers or ice sheets. Cirques are sometimes discovered on the head of valleys and could be very deep.
- Glaciers and ice sheets can depart behind moraines: Moraines are ridges of rock and sediment which might be deposited by glaciers or ice sheets. Moraines could be discovered on the edges of glaciers or ice sheets, or they are often left behind when a glacier or ice sheet retreats.
- Ice erosion can expose new rocks and minerals: Ice erosion can expose new rocks and minerals by scraping and gouging the rock beneath glaciers or ice sheets. These new rocks and minerals could be weathered and eroded, creating new landforms.
Ice erosion is a fancy course of that may have a big influence on the panorama. Glaciers and ice sheets can form mountains in quite a lot of methods, and so they can even depart behind quite a lot of landforms. Ice erosion is a robust pressure that has helped to create a few of the most stunning and dramatic landscapes on Earth.
Erosion generally is a drawback
Erosion is a pure course of that may have each constructive and damaging penalties. On the one hand, erosion will help to create new landforms and transport vitamins from one place to a different. Then again, erosion will also be an issue. It could possibly trigger soil loss, which might result in decreased agricultural productiveness and environmental issues. It could possibly additionally trigger landslides, which might injury infrastructure and threaten human life.
There are a variety of things that may contribute to erosion, together with:
- Local weather: Areas with excessive rainfall or robust winds are extra prone to erosion.
- Geology: Areas with free or sandy soils are extra prone to erosion.
- Land use: Areas which might be cleared of vegetation or used for agriculture are extra prone to erosion.
Erosion could cause a variety of issues, together with:
- Soil loss: Erosion can take away useful topsoil, which might result in decreased agricultural productiveness. Soil loss can even trigger issues with water high quality, as sediment can clog waterways and pollute water sources.
- Landslides: Erosion could cause landslides, which might injury infrastructure and threaten human life. Landslides are most typical in areas with steep slopes and unstable soils.
- Flooding: Erosion can even enhance the chance of flooding. It’s because eroded soil can fill in channels and make it tougher for water to stream. Consequently, water is extra more likely to overflow and trigger flooding.
- Environmental issues: Erosion can even result in a variety of environmental issues, akin to sedimentation, water air pollution, and the lack of biodiversity.
Erosion is a major problem that may have a variety of damaging penalties. Nevertheless, there are a variety of issues that may be accomplished to stop erosion, together with:
- Planting bushes and different vegetation: Vegetation will help to carry soil in place and cut back the quantity of abrasion.
- Utilizing terraces and contour farming: Terraces and contour farming will help to decelerate the stream of water and cut back erosion.
- Overlaying the soil with mulch: Mulch will help to guard the soil from erosion by wind and water.
- Utilizing no-till farming practices: No-till farming practices will help to maintain soil in place and cut back erosion.
By taking steps to stop erosion, we will help to guard our soil, our water, and our surroundings.
FAQ
Listed here are some continuously requested questions on erosion:
Query 1: What’s erosion?
Reply: Erosion is the method by which the Earth’s floor is worn away by the motion of water, wind, ice, or different pure forces. It’s a steady course of that occurs over lengthy durations of time and may have a big influence on the panorama.
Query 2: What are the several types of erosion?
Reply: There are various several types of erosion, together with water erosion, wind erosion, ice erosion, chemical erosion, and organic erosion. Water erosion is the commonest kind of abrasion, and it happens when water flows over the land, selecting up soil particles and carrying them away. Wind erosion happens when robust winds blow throughout the land, selecting up free soil particles and carrying them away. Ice erosion happens when glaciers or ice sheets transfer throughout the land, scraping and gouging the floor. Chemical erosion happens when acids or different chemical substances dissolve rocks and minerals. Organic erosion happens when vegetation and animals break down rocks and minerals.
Query 3: What causes erosion?
Reply: There are a variety of things that may trigger erosion, together with local weather, geology, and land use. Areas with excessive rainfall or robust winds are extra prone to erosion. Areas with free or sandy soils are additionally extra prone to erosion. Areas which might be cleared of vegetation or used for agriculture are additionally extra prone to erosion.
Query 4: What are the results of abrasion?
Reply: Erosion can have a variety of damaging results, together with soil loss, landslides, flooding, and environmental issues. Soil loss can result in decreased agricultural productiveness and environmental issues. Landslides can injury infrastructure and threaten human life. Flooding can even injury infrastructure and threaten human life. Environmental issues brought on by erosion embrace sedimentation, water air pollution, and the lack of biodiversity.
Query 5: How can erosion be prevented?
Reply: There are a variety of issues that may be accomplished to stop erosion, together with planting bushes and different vegetation, utilizing terraces and contour farming, overlaying the soil with mulch, and utilizing no-till farming practices.
Query 6: Is erosion at all times a foul factor?
Reply: No, erosion isn’t at all times a foul factor. Erosion will help to create new landforms, transport vitamins from one place to a different, and expose new rocks and minerals. Nevertheless, when erosion happens too rapidly or within the incorrect locations, it might probably trigger issues.
Erosion is a fancy course of that may have each constructive and damaging penalties. You will need to perceive the several types of erosion, the causes of abrasion, and the results of abrasion in an effort to develop methods to stop or mitigate the damaging results of abrasion.
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Along with the data offered within the FAQ part, listed below are some extra suggestions for stopping erosion:
Ideas
Listed here are some sensible suggestions for stopping erosion:
Tip 1: Plant bushes and different vegetation
Planting bushes and different vegetation is without doubt one of the greatest methods to stop erosion. Vegetation helps to carry soil in place and cut back the quantity of abrasion. Timber and different vegetation additionally assist to decelerate the stream of water, which will help to stop flooding and landslides.
Tip 2: Use terraces and contour farming
Terraces and contour farming are two strategies that can be utilized to scale back erosion on sloping land. Terraces are stage ridges which might be constructed throughout a slope. Contour farming is a technique of farming through which crops are planted alongside the contours of the land, slightly than up and down the slope. Each terraces and contour farming assist to decelerate the stream of water and cut back erosion.
Tip 3: Cowl the soil with mulch
Overlaying the soil with mulch is one other efficient solution to stop erosion. Mulch will help to guard the soil from the influence of raindrops and wind. It could possibly additionally assist to carry soil in place and cut back the quantity of abrasion. Mulch could be produced from quite a lot of supplies, akin to straw, hay, leaves, and compost.
Tip 4: Use no-till farming practices
No-till farming practices can even assist to scale back erosion. No-till farming is a technique of farming through which the soil isn’t tilled earlier than planting. This helps to maintain the soil in place and cut back the quantity of abrasion. No-till farming can even assist to enhance soil well being and water high quality.
Closing Paragraph for Ideas:
By following the following pointers, you’ll be able to assist to stop erosion and defend your soil, your water, and your setting.
Transition paragraph from suggestions part to conclusion part:
Erosion is a major problem that may have a variety of damaging penalties. Nevertheless, by taking steps to stop erosion, we will help to guard our planet and be certain that it’s a wholesome and sustainable place for future generations.
Conclusion
Erosion is a pure course of that may have each constructive and damaging penalties. On the one hand, erosion will help to create new landforms, transport vitamins from one place to a different, and expose new rocks and minerals. Then again, erosion will also be an issue. It could possibly trigger soil loss, which might result in decreased agricultural productiveness and environmental issues. It could possibly additionally trigger landslides, which might injury infrastructure and threaten human life.
There are a variety of things that may contribute to erosion, together with local weather, geology, and land use. Areas with excessive rainfall or robust winds are extra prone to erosion. Areas with free or sandy soils are additionally extra prone to erosion. Areas which might be cleared of vegetation or used for agriculture are additionally extra prone to erosion.
There are a variety of issues that may be accomplished to stop erosion, together with planting bushes and different vegetation, utilizing terraces and contour farming, overlaying the soil with mulch, and utilizing no-till farming practices. By taking steps to stop erosion, we will help to guard our soil, our water, and our surroundings.
Closing Message:
Erosion is a major problem, however it’s one that may be solved. By working collectively, we are able to take steps to stop erosion and defend our planet for future generations.