One of the most important large scale preventative methods that is used to combat soil erosion in agricultural areas is no-till farming.
At its core, no-till farming is an agricultural technique that seeks to eliminate disturbance of soil that typically results from tillage. No-till farming employs a variety of novel methods and equipment. The main difference between no-till farming and conventional farming is the use of low disturbance discs for seeding. Discs slice a narrow slot in the soil to allow seeds to be deposited without digging up weeds or residues from previous crops.
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| Typical Disc Drill image courtesy of Case International Harvester Website |
The primary benefit provided by no-till farming is that the understory of organic matter and root systems from the previous years crops remains intact. This layer of organic matter and roots serves to hold the topsoil together, without it the soil easily erodes away as it used to with conventional farming methods.
In addition to the preventative methods that exist to combat erosion, a number of restorative methods are available. The following methods can be employed as restorative measures or to halt erosion that has begun already:
-rock lining of gullies: stabilizes soil within gully and prevents further sediment from falling into moving water, trees can be planted along gully in the future to further stabilize soil
-Planting trees to reduce large movements of soil: often used on the sides of slopes, root systems established by trees help to hold slope soil together
-Safe diversion of water: large, fast-moving streams of runoff are diverted in different directions effectively "spreading out" the negative effects. With smaller volumes of water moving, runoff is slower and erosion is decreased.
(4) Fayette County Soil Conservation District
Fayette County Soil Conservation District Website. www.fayetteconservation.com, 2010. Web. 12 March. 2013.
(7) No-tillage Farming
"Why No-tillage?" No-tillage Farming. Rolf-Derpsch.com. Web. March 2011.
(10) Department of Primary Industries
Department of Primary Industries. "Helping North Coast landholders reduce soil erosion."Soil Erosion Solutions. 2007/2008. Print
In addition to the preventative methods that exist to combat erosion, a number of restorative methods are available. The following methods can be employed as restorative measures or to halt erosion that has begun already:
-rock lining of gullies: stabilizes soil within gully and prevents further sediment from falling into moving water, trees can be planted along gully in the future to further stabilize soil
 |
| From Department of Primary Industries Soil Erosion Solutions Journal |
-Planting trees to reduce large movements of soil: often used on the sides of slopes, root systems established by trees help to hold slope soil together
 |
| From Department of Primary Industries Soil Erosion Solutions Journal |
 |
| From Department of Primary Industries Soil Erosion Solutions Journal |
-Safe diversion of water: large, fast-moving streams of runoff are diverted in different directions effectively "spreading out" the negative effects. With smaller volumes of water moving, runoff is slower and erosion is decreased.
 |
| From Department of Primary Industries Soil Erosion Solutions Journal |
 |
| From Department of Primary Industries Soil Erosion Solutions Journal |
(4) Fayette County Soil Conservation District
Fayette County Soil Conservation District Website. www.fayetteconservation.com, 2010. Web. 12 March. 2013.
(7) No-tillage Farming
"Why No-tillage?" No-tillage Farming. Rolf-Derpsch.com. Web. March 2011.
(10) Department of Primary Industries
Department of Primary Industries. "Helping North Coast landholders reduce soil erosion."Soil Erosion Solutions. 2007/2008. Print
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