Erosion control

Erosion control comprises measures that reduce the removal of soil by water or wind. It limits soil loss by protecting exposed ground, slowing runoff, or stabilizing soil.

Vegetative cover: Living plants and their residues cover soil and reduce its exposure to erosive forces. Plant cover intercepts rainfall, slows runoff, and roots help hold soil in place.
Conservation agriculture: A farming approach that minimizes soil disturbance, maintains soil cover, and diversifies crops. Its core practices reduce erosion while supporting long-term soil function.
Soil erosion: The detachment and movement of soil by water, wind, ice, or gravity. Erosion control targets the detachment and transport described by this broader process.
Soil conservation: The protection and sustainable management of soil to maintain its functions and productivity. Erosion control is one part of the broader effort to conserve soil.
Soil remediation: The treatment of contaminated soil to reduce risks or restore its intended use. Remediation addresses contamination, whereas erosion control addresses physical soil removal.
Contour plowing: A farming practice that plows and plants along the natural contours of a slope. Contour furrows interrupt downhill water flow and reduce soil movement.
Cover crop: A crop grown primarily to cover and improve soil rather than to be harvested. Cover crops protect fields between cash-crop seasons and can reduce runoff.
Surface runoff: Water that flows over land rather than infiltrating into the ground. Runoff can detach and carry soil, especially on exposed or sloping ground.
Sediment pollution: The degradation of water quality caused by excess suspended or deposited sediment. Soil washed from land can cloud waterways and damage aquatic habitats.
Flood control: Measures that reduce flood risk or limit damage from floodwaters. Flood control manages water hazards; erosion control specifically limits soil loss.

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