101 Questions answered
Stopping Sandy Soil Erosion: Why Vegetative Cover and Minimal Disturbance Matter
If a soil remains bare then it is at risk of continued erosion. It can also affect adjacent land by sandblasting and smothering plant growth, baring it off and expanding the area of eroding soil.
The first step is to determine why the initial area started eroding. This could be because it is a naturally highly erodible soil (e.g. very sandy and infertile) and difficult to grow plants on. Erosion can also occur following a poor season and poor plant growth (e.g. with severe winds; removal of cover by livestock, rabbits, goats, herbicide or tillage) or a combination of these factors.
On highly erodible soils it is difficult to avoid erosion unless they have constant and very good vegetative cover. Annual crops and pastures often leave soils with insufficient cover for up to 6 months or more if seasons are poor. Perennial plant species are usually the best option for reducing erosion.
On soils that are less erodible but difficult to regularly grow good crops and pastures (and hence surface cover), investigate possible constraints such as poor soil fertility (particularly on highly calcareous soils), acidity, salinity, water repellence, compaction and boron toxicity.
The best surface cover for protection against wind erosion is well anchored, upright (standing) plant growth that deflects wind away from the soil surface. Surface mulches also help but if they are loose, winds will blow them away and leave the soil surface exposed.
Manage the eroded area so that surface cover is maintained. Remove livestock before they disturb surface cover (remember, sheep like camping on bare areas); control pests such as rabbits; use herbicides to control weeds when they are large enough to cause problems at seeding time; and avoid tillage or use minimal disturbance seeding practices. Leaving soil in a rough ridged condition after sowing will slow wind speed over disturbed areas. Avoid stock and vehicle trafficking over bare or highly erodible soils.
