Soil Erosion Processes, Prediction, Measurement, and Control

About this book

This book provides a thorough look at physical properties of soil erosion. Soil erosion has been responsible for billions of dollars of damage during the past thirty years, in the United States alone. "Soil Erosion" provides complete coverage of the physical causes, processes, and effects of this environmental problem, from its origins to planning for future conservation and remediation. This book focuses on the process of soil erosion and erosion-control principles independent of land use. Coverage includes the primary factors that influence soil erosion, various types of erosion, erosion-prediction technology, erosion measurements, erosion and sediment control, and conservation of the land. Practical material on erosion models is featured along with ways to use these models as erosion-control tools. Details of conservation planning and government policy are presented in a historical context, supported by examples of working public programs and technical tools for conservation planning. The title features end-of-chapter summaries and comprehensive appendices on soils, hydrology, and soil-erosion. The Web sites make this a complete and easy-to-use introduction to soil-erosion processes, prediction, measurement, and control. Supplemented with more than 100 photographs, drawings, and tables, "Soil Erosion: Processes, Prediction, Measurement, and Control" is an essential book for students of soil management, erosion, conservation, earth science, civil engineering, and agriculture; employees of soil conservation districts; government employees in the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Forest Service, USDA, EPA, and Bureau of Land Management; and soil scientists.

Contents

Preface. Acknowledgments. 1. Introduction. Physical and Economic Significance of Erosion. Social Significance of Erosion. Soil Erosion Research. Terminology of Erosion. Development of Landscapes: A Context for Erosion. Summary. Suggested Readings. 2. Primary Factors Influencing Soil Erosion. Water Erosion. Wind Erosion. Integrated Site Perspective. Summary. Suggested Readings. 3. Types of Erosion. Water Erosion. Wind Erosion. Links between Wind and Water Erosion. Mechanical Movement of Soil. Summary. Suggested Readings. 4. Erosion Processes. Basic Principles Common to Water and Wind Erosion. Water Erosion. Wind Erosion. Summary. Suggested Readings. 5. Erosion Prediction Technology. Fundamentals of Erosion Prediction Technology. Elements of Erosion Model Mathematics. Types of Mathematical Erosion Models. Other Types of Erosion Models. Steps in Developing an Erosion Model. Choosing a Model. Sensitivity Analysis. Summary. Suggested Readings. 6. Erosion Measurement. Reasons to Measure Erosion. Types of Erosion Measurement. Erosion Measurement Practices. Selected Measurement Techniques. Evaluation of Erosion Measurement. Summary. Suggested Readings. 7. Erosion and Sediment Control. Principles of Erosion and Sediment Control. Examples of Water Erosion Control Practices. Control of Concentrated Flow Erosion. Sediment Control. Wind Erosion Control. Summary. Suggested Readings. 8. Land Conservation. Public Conservation Programs. Conservation Planning. Technical Tools for Conservation Planning. Local Soil Conservation Planning for On Site Erosion and Sediment Control. Conservation Planning by Governmental Units. Lessons from the U.S. Conservation Movement. Suggested Readings. 9. Perspectives and the Future. Essential Lessons. Future for Soil Conservation. Conclusions. Appendix A: Soils. Soil Properties. Sediment Properties. Sources of Information. Suggested Readings. Appendix B: Hydrology. Precipitation Process. Water Storage. Infiltration Process. Runoff Process. Evaporation and Transpiration Processes. Sources of Information. Suggested Readings. Appendix C: Soil Erosion Web Sites. References. Index.

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Biography

TERRENCE J. TOY, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Denver, Colorado. GEORGE R. FOSTER, PhD, is a hydraulic research engineer based in Bryan, Texas. KENNETH G. RENARD, PhD, is a hydraulic research engineer based in Tucson, Arizona.