Erosionen

Erosionen, commonly referred to as erosion, describes the process by which soil, rock, or other material is worn away and removed from a surface by the action of wind, water, ice, or biological forces. In geology and geomorphology, erosion is both a natural part of landscape development and a response to changing environmental conditions. The term is used across disciplines to describe material loss and downstream sediment transport.

Main erosion agents include running water (sheet erosion, rill and gully formation), wind (deflation and abrasion), and ice (glacial erosion). Coastal erosion involves waves and tidal forces; mass wasting and gravity-driven processes such as landslides can also contribute. Erosion shapes landforms, exposes bedrock, forms soils, and redistributes sediments within river basins.

While erosion occurs naturally, human activities often accelerate it. Deforestation, overgrazing, intensive tillage, urbanization, and mining increase runoff and remove protective cover, raising erosion rates. Consequences include loss of agricultural soil, sedimentation of waterways and reservoirs, degraded habitats, and increased vulnerability to floods and landslides.

Assessment of erosion uses field measurements and models. The Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) and its revisions estimate long-term average annual soil loss with factors for rainfall, soil type, slope, land cover, and management. Mitigation measures include maintaining vegetation cover, terracing, contour plowing, cover crops, windbreaks, mulching, reduced tillage, and sediment control structures. Restoration of riparian zones and sustainable land management reduce erosion risks.