soil erosion
/soɪl ɛrəʊʒən/ · soil.er.o.sion
noun
- The process of wearing away or removal of soil from the Earth's surface, often caused by natural forces such as wind, water, or ice, or human activities like deforestation or construction. The farmer took measures to prevent soil erosion on his land by planting cover crops and implementing contour farming techniques.
- The result of soil erosion, including the loss of fertile topsoil and the formation of sediment deposits in waterways or other areas. The devastating effects of soil erosion were evident in the dried-up riverbeds and barren landscapes of the affected region.
Synonyms
land degradationsoil losssedimentationdeforestationwater pollutionlandslideslope failuregully erosion
Antonyms
Did you know? Soil erosion is a significant concern worldwide, with an estimated 24 billion tons of topsoil lost annually, equivalent to the area of about 1,000 football fields.