Soil erosion isn’t exactly a new concept, but has rather been a struggle for humankind on both a small and a large scale. While the immediate effects of soil erosion are always quite evident, such a lessening of the integrity of the earth can, in fact, have far more dire implications for human society as a whole. We are living in an age characterised by a certain amount of awareness of our impact on the environment, and the resultant effect that can have on us. And whenever looking at the equation, soil erosion is always a matter of concern. As a company that deals with retaining wall construction and supply in South Africa, this is a problem that we think about on a daily basis. So let’s take a look at some of the long-term effects that soil erosion could have on us as a species.
Agricultural Concerns
The chief concern about the long-term effects of soil erosion are related to how they will affect our agricultural abilities as a species. With over 7.5 billion people on Earth, that’s a lot of mouths to feed, which require colossal tracks of land to produce adequate crops.
Soil erosion, can do long-lasting damage to the earth, making it impossible to render fit for farming. As more land becomes afflicted by it, there is less space for crops.
Wildlife and the Ecosystem
Our planet is a delicate ecosystem made up of countless co-dependant parts, and at the root of all that live on the land (if you’ll excuse the pun)m is the need for everything provided by the soil. Soil erosion wears away at natural habitats of all types, easily upsetting the delicate balance of life on Earth.
Geographical Concerns of Soil Erosion
Soil erosion, besides the abovementioned outcomes, also results in a destabilising of geographical formations, all of which can pose extreme dangers to people and animals, crops, houses and more. In extreme cases (and extreme weather), soil erosion can lead to land and mud-slides which could pose massive challenges to our survival.
Contact Buffalo Retaining Walls and Combat Soil Erosion on Your Property
The fight against soil erosion is everybody’s concern, and you can start the battle right from your home, by protecting your soil from erosion using retaining walls to hold them in place and prevent soil runoff. Contact one of our representatives from Buffalo Retaining Walls today, or visit our website to learn more.
