soil erosion
3
3.8
- noun
- /sɔɪl ɪˈroʊʒən/
- Specialized
:
erosión del suelo
- The heavy rains caused significant soil erosion, washing away the top layer of earth from the field.
- reduce soil erosion
- soil erosion control
- prevent soil erosion
The original assignment was that they were supposed to document things like soil erosion, the the flow of the dust that covered barns, and so on.
- The original assignment was that they were supposed to document things like soil erosion, the the flow of the dust that covered barns, and so on.
Examples
-
Hilly land needed to have grass, trees, terraces, and strip cropping to prevent soil erosion.
Academic text (1996) -
The destruction of forests has led to severe soil erosion and changed rainfall patterns, triggering frequent droughts.
Academic text (1992) -
And solved all of their soil erosion problems.
-
For instance, it has been known for some time that soil erosion is a highly concentrated problem.
Academic text (1996) -
The most recent estimate of global soil erosion appeared in an article in a February 1995 issue of Science.
Academic text (1997) -
I'm preparing a report on soil erosion at the moment.
-
The settlement of the hills has caused a great deal of soil erosion and contamination of streams.
Academic text (1997) -
There have been more recent attempts to estimate global soil erosion and infer its effects on soil productivity.
Academic text (1997) -
Visitors to Eritrea voice alarm at the extent of soil erosion and the degradation of the woodlands.
Academic text (1991) -
Farmers are implementing new techniques to prevent soil erosion and maintain the health of their crops.
Synonyms
34
3.7
The gradual wearing away of land, rock, and other materials by forces such as water or wind
Antonyms
- Specialized
1
3.5
Actions that stop soil washing away and keep it good for growing plants
How Severe
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is a literal composition of 'soil' (the upper earth layer) and 'erosion' (the wearing away or removal of land), so a learner who knows both words can infer it refers to the wearing away or loss of topsoil by natural forces. This is a cross-linguistically common, non-idiomatic description, making the meaning immediately transparent to B1 learners.
Etymology
The term soil erosion gives a clear image: rain or wind carries away the soil, slowly wearing the land down as erosion. That's why it means 'the gradual removal of the top layer of soil by water or wind'.