Soil is most vulnerable to erosion when residue is not kept on the surface. Without adequate residue, the energy created by a raindrop falling on the ground creates a strong splash effect that disperses soil particles. Once soil particles are displaced from a soil aggregate, they can quickly move by water and be carried downslope as sediment, potentially reaching surface water. Sediment carries nutrients to surface water and it also creates unfavorable conditions for aquatic life. Sediment may settle out during transport, creating mucky stream and lake bottoms, and degrading fish habitat.
As rain events continue to increase in intensity, soil and nutrient loss will continue to increase, furthering the need for innovative crop management practices. Soil is one of four things that we can't live without: soil, water, air, and sunlight. It takes 500 to 1,000 years to build one inch of topsoil. Protecting soil and keeping it on the land will ensure that Dane County's farmland will be productive for future generations.
View our Soil Health webpage to learn how you can help your soil become more resilient and less prone to erosion.
We all rely on clean water and productive soils to sustain our lives. We are fortunate in Dane County to have a wealth of very productive soils and we want to keep it that way. The impact of soil erosion on soil productivity is largely determined by subsoil properties because they effect root growth and water availability. As a large portion of the County was impacted by glaciers, the subsoil varies in quality across the landscape. It is essential that the topsoil is protected and kept on farmland and out of surface waters. Soil not only sustains life today but will sustain life for generations to come as long as it is well cared for and kept on the farm.
