Splash: Soil Erosion

Adapted from: Jaffe R, Appel G. The Growing Classroom: Garden-Based Science. South Burlington, VT: National Gardening Association; 2007. Goal: To understand soil erosion and its effect on gardening Objectives: The kids will be able to: Construct a tool to demonstrate the effects of rain drops on soil erosion (S3CS3) Understand waters effect on rocks and soil over time (S3E1) Make a graph of soil erosion (S3CS4) Time: 30 minutes Before the lesson: Split the kids into groups of 4 Guide and Materials: Guide: Erosion fact sheet Materials: 1 gallon milk carton per group of 4, pebbles/sand to weigh down cartons, 2 sheets of white paper per group, tape, 1 ruler per group, 1 watering can with sprinkler head per group Background Information: Erosion is a natural process, but can be concerning when too much topsoil washes away from farmland. In this activity, students will compare the effects of light rain versus hard rain on the soil. When the soil splashes on the milk cartons, this represents erosion. Lesson Plan 1. Set the scene: Read aloud: When a raindrop hits hard ground, such as rock or concrete, what happens to the ground? What happens when raindrops strike soft soil or when drops get bigger and come out of the sky faster? Imagine what it looks like when millions of raindrops strike the land. The movement of small rocks and soil from one place to another by wind or water is called erosion. We are going to build a device called a splashboard, which your groups are going to use to investigate how raindrops erode the soil. 2. Activity: Demonstrate for the kids - First, cut the top off the milk carton and fill the carton 1/3 full with sand or pebbles. Next, wrap a piece of white paper around the carton and tape the ends together (but do not tape the paper to the carton). Then label the tops of the 3 sides: slow, medium, and fast (do not label the taped side). - Next, let the groups take their splashboards outside on open soil in an area at least 2 feet in diameter (make sure the splashboards are standing up straight). - In front of the slow sides: have the students gently pour watering cans on the soil from knee height (pour close to, but not directly on the paper) - In front of the medium sides: have the students pour from the waist - In front of the fast sides: have the students pour from shoulder height - Finally, have the students remove their papers and measure/compare the soil splashing. When the papers dry, they can be used to demonstrate how graphs can be pictures of how nature works. Have the students draw a line across the top edge of the splashing, showing that as water drops moved faster, soil was heaved higher in the air. 3. Use the Erosion Fact Sheet to draw conclusions and further emphasize the effects of erosion.

FACT SHEET: Erosion

What is it? o Both wind and water can cause erosion, where the topsoil is washed or blown away, so the ground is not as suitable for producing crops. Remember that the topsoil is the most nutritious part of the soil, so if it is washed away, the soil is no longer nutrient-dense o Wind can blow soil away on flat or hilly ground, but water generally only causes erosion on slopes. As the slope of the land increases (gravity), so, too, does the amount of erosion. Water erosion can also occur during floods and melting of snow/ice. o Droughts can even cause soil erosion. The earth begins to crack and crops do not grow as well during droughts, causing further erosion because crop roots are no longer holding the soil in place. Why is erosion of soil bad? o Washes away nutrient-dense topsoil o Leads to runoff which can pollute waterways and damage habitats for fish Methods to reduce soil erosion: o Planting trees and other crops to keep the soil held in place Trees also block some wind, protecting against wind erosion o Developing irrigation routes to keep the soil well-hydrated during droughts o Planting some drought-tolerant plants in areas that are prone to dryness so that these plants will help hold the soil in place even when it becomes too dry o Growing cover crops in the winter that help keep the soil in place o Practicing crop rotation to help keep the proper balance of nutrients in the soil o Adding mulch to the soil to keep it moist and held down, preventing wind from blowing the soil away o Watering wisely- do not over-water your crops! What happens if we do not take care of the land and prevent erosion? o We will produce less crops For more information: http://www.soils.usda.gov