Soil erosion links field management with the condition of nearby water
FAO outlines ways to keep productive topsoil in place.
Soil erosion removes material that supports crops and holds water. FAO's land management guidance explains how wind and runoff can carry exposed soil away, sometimes depositing it in streams, channels and reservoirs.
The response depends on the land and how it is used. Maintaining cover can reduce exposure, while changes to field layout can slow water moving downhill. Preventing a loss at its source helps preserve the farm's productive layer and can reduce problems downstream.