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Soil structural decline

Soil nutrient loss

Increased water sediment load

Increased water nutrient concentrations

Increased water faecal contamination

Increased water chemical contamination

Reduced ground cover

Streambank and bed degradation

Reduced soil erosion

 

Impact

Soil erosion is the detachment and transportation of soil and its deposition at another site by the agents of wind, water or gravitational effects.  Erosion does occur to some extent under natural conditions but can be accelerated by human activities, such as vegetation clearing, overgrazing and infrastructure construction. 

There are several types of erosion:

• Water erosion where soil is eroded and transported by water, e.g. 
  • Splash or raindrop erosion
  • Hillslope erosion
  • Gully erosion
• Wind erosion where soil eroded and transported by wind
• Wave erosion where soil is eroded and transported by the action of waves

Suggested indicators: Hillslope erosion*, Gully erosion, Wind erosion*

Increased soil erosion may be associated with:

Potenital associated impacts	Suggested indicators
Loss of nutrient-rich top soil leading to reduced soil fertility and vegetation condition	Ground cover Shrub cover* Tree canopy cover & health* Weed cover* Organic litter* Native vegetation area Vegetation desity Impacts on native vegetation*
Reduced water quality if eroded sediments are washed into waterways	Fine sediment in water* Phosphates in water* Nitrates in water* pH of water*

*Yet to be developed