forming on cultivated fields and pastures.Sheet Erosion Sheet erosion involves the removal of a layer of soil by either a raindrop splash or water run off. It most commonly takes off the top layer of soil. Sheet erosion is hard to detect at first because the results are not very noticeable. This is often overlooked until the subsoil is exposed. When this occurs, the soil is often compacted and/or removed. After this occurs, a small layer of film begins to form. This film is usually about two or three millimetres thick. When this type of erosion occurs, the soil becomes somewhat impermeable to air and water, causing the vegetation to die off for the time being. Stream bank Erosion Stream bank erosion is the direct removal of banks and beds by flowing water. Typically, it occurs during periods of high stream flow. It is sometimes confused with gully erosion (erosion of gullies). Flowing water causes lateral erosion. Lateral erosion is simply the erosion of the sides of a stream. When this occurs, sediments often fill the stream, later to be deposited elsewhere. This excess is often caused by heavy rainfall, which then overloads the stream. Areas with poor vegetation are especially susceptible to this erosion, mainly because the velocity and water content are so great that it causes excess run-off. Headward erosion is when gullies erode themselves far back into hillsides. This process occurs at the end of tributaries.Wind Erosion Wind erosion is the deposition and movement of soil particles caused by wind. This occurs when soils that are bare from any vegetation are exposed to high wind velocities. The wind, travelling at great speeds, picks up the soil particles and carries them in suspension. Particles that range from .1-.5mm in size are transported by saltation (particles moving in a bouncing or hopping fashion). Particles greater than .5mm are moved by rolling, known as soil creep. This type of erosion is most visible duri...
