What is the effect of erosion on the environment?
Thirteen negative effects are listed below. • Sedimentation in rivers • pollutes water with soil particles • damages water ecosystems through reduced sunlight for aquatic plants and animals • increases water treatment costs for human water consumption • reduces the depth of rivers, thus creating waterways that can’t be navigated by commercial crafts • Removal of topsoil from land areas • prevents plant growth • alters ecosystems, thus reducing the biodiversity of life • destroys crops • reduces agricultural food production • reduces farming income • Wind erosion • increases the amount of particles in the air • reduces visibility • reduces air quality • causes breathing problems (asthma, etc.) Misconception(s). Misconception: Students tend to think of natural geologic erosion as being as large-scale and fast-paced as the types of erosion which occur due to human activity. Fact: Natural geologic erosion is a very slow, small-scale form of erosion. Cautions: Wear old clothing when investi
