Natural geologic erosion, such as the forces that created land features like the Grand Canyon, is important to soil formation.

Soil erosion as a result of soil being tilled to produce food or land changes humans have made, is known as accelerated erosion. If gone unchecked, sustained productiveness of the soil is lost.

Soil erosion is the process in which soil is washed by water or blown by wind from its' original location to a normally less desirable location. Top soil washed from a productive farm field has little value in the bottom of a lake or flowing down a river. In addition, carried with this soil many times is also fertilizer and chemicals best left where they were applied.

View many of the common conservation practices used to control accelerated soil erosion.

• Soil Resources In Urban Areas