Impact

Soil erosion is the detachment and transportation of soil and its deposition at another site by the agents of wind, water or gravitational effects. Erosion does occur to some extent under natural conditions but can be accelerated by human activities, such as vegetation clearing, overgrazing and infrastructure construction. 

There are several types of erosion:

  • Water erosion where soil is eroded and transported by water, e.g. 
    • Splash or raindrop erosion
    • Hillslope erosion
    • Gully erosion
  • Wind erosion where soil eroded and transported by wind
  • Wave erosion where soil is eroded and transported by the action of waves

Suggested indicators: Hillslope erosion*, Gully erosion, Wind erosion*

Increased soil erosion may be associated with:

Potenital associated impacts

Suggested indicators

Loss of nutrient-rich top soil leading to reduced soil fertility and vegetation condition
  • Ground cover
  • Shrub cover
  • Tree canopy cover & health
  • Weed cover
  • Organic litter
  • Native vegetation area
  • Vegetation density
  • Impacts on native vegetation

Reduced water quality if eroded sediments are washed into waterways
  • Fine sediment in water
  • Phosphates in water
  • Nitrates in water
  • pH of water