Erosion Control: Co-Benefits of Soil Health Series
- Sarah Koth
- Apr 14, 2022
- 3 min read
Erosion washes away topsoil on farms, shrinks coast lines, dissolves islands in the Chesapeake Bay, and harms our backyards. "After our house construction, the bare earth area behind the house was not protected from erosion. Runoff from the driveway had created runnels and channels through the area," said Lance Koth, a Civil Engineer and consultant for over thirty years. Koth dealt with erosion control in development projects around Virginia, and he found similar issues in his backyard. He wanted to build a space for his family to enjoy, and part of the solution meant caring for the soil. When we are "4 The Soil," we gain many co-benefits, including erosion control.
Power of the 4 Core Principles
Koth practiced some of the core soil health principles by planting seed and covering the soil with straw and mulch. Keeping the soil covered protects and armors the soil from moving water. It also protects soil from drying out and blowing away. When soil stays in place, so do the soil’s nutrients and organic matter, and plant roots are better able to absorb them. When we maximize living roots in the soil, the roots act as an anchor to hold the soil in place. Roots along with soil fungi act as a sponge, absorbing more water and nutrients. They create channels and pores in the soil to allow for water infiltration and less runoff. Still, Koth watched the seeds and soil wash away in the areas of concentrated flow. So he used simple organic materials to direct the water and minimize soil disturbance. "We cut small logs and placed them across the runnels, perpendicular to the direction of the flow. They slowed the flow down enough that sediment settled out and the grass was able to establish in the channel." Plants can grow longer roots when we use equipment wisely to avoid compaction and methods that aerate the soil while minimizing soil disturbance. Many soil properties depend on healthy relationships with microorganisms to enhance soil structure, aggregation, and nutrient availability. Living roots, minimal soil disturbance, and a diverse diet provide a good habitat and home for microorganisms to do their jobs. Energizing the soil with diversity encourages different microorganisms to grow and the soil ecosystem to flourish.
In Our Own Backyards and Farms
Koth's work transformed a constantly muddy area into a healthy yard. "Finally, we could enjoy it with the kids and the dogs," he said. "It was a great boost to our quality of life."
We can help the soil thrive while reducing and eliminating erosion by implementing the four core principles. Learn more about the resources available to you by clicking the underlined links below:
Urban and Suburban Resources
District Services, Virginia's Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD)
Native Plants for Steep Slopes and Erosion Control, Plant NOVA Natives
Erosion Control Saves Homes, USDA-National Resource Conservation Services (NRCS)
Tidal Region Resources
Shoreline Erosion Advisory Service, Virginia Dept. of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)
Farm Resources
Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook, Virginia Dept. of Environmental Quality
Water Protection on Farms, Virginia Dept. of Forestry
Virginia Ag Erosion Core Terms & Concepts, NRCS & SWCD
Join the movement! 4 The Soil is a campaign by the Virginia Soil Health Coalition to raise awareness of soil as an agricultural and natural resource. By caring for the soil, we can build healthier communities, stronger economies, and a more resilient landscape.
This post on erosion control clearly shows how protecting soil health delivers multiple long-term benefits, from water retention to ecosystem stability. I appreciated the focus on prevention and gradual improvement rather than quick fixes. Managing land this way depends on planning and consistency, not reactive measures. That contrast with Last Minute Assignments stood out, where rushing replaces structure and cheap assignment help UK only works as a metaphor. The systems-based perspective makes the topic accessible and practical.
This clearly elucidates how erosion control does more than hold soil in place: it protects nutrients, supports microbial life, and strengthens long-term soil resilience. The timing and layering of the practices are highly relevant, particularly in the context of changing weather patterns. To the US Online Class Taker, the way these systems build step by step reminded me of the structure behind an online biology class help service: outline the foundations first, benefits later.
I found your explanation of erosion control and soil health co-benefits very informative and grounded in real land stewardship. It also made me think about managing content tasks alongside research, like when I explored woocommerce product description writing services just to stay focused. Has anyone here used PayssomeoneTo to help manage writing while digging into topics like this?
I read your post about erosion control and it helped me see how caring for soil can protect nature and make farms healthier in simple steps. When I was buried in school work last term I had to Edit my law project online late at night after class because I needed help fixing up my work before the deadline. It reminded me that taking time to learn and asking for help really makes tough tasks easier.
I read the post about soil erosion and how using simple soil health steps like covering bare soil with plants or mulch can keep dirt in place and stop water from washing it away. It showed that roots and covering the ground really help protect soil and keep nutrients where they belong. When I had a big project last term I even used engineering Assignment Writer to help me work through tough parts while still making time to learn new things about nature. It made me think that caring for soil and asking for help both make hard tasks easier and more lasting.