Risk of erosion

It's a global phenomenon 

• Damages areas where runoff ends up
• degrades land that is eroded
• reduces crop yields
• eroded soil damages dams, rivers, lakes, buildings and roads
• Occurs particularly on steeper slopes, on eroidable soils under crops vulnerable to erosion and where unwise farming methods are practised
• In uplands caused by overgrazing and footpaths

Very High Risk:
Rills likely to form in most years and gullies may develop in very wet periods

High Risk:
Rills are likely to develop in most seasons during wet periods

Moderate:
Sediment may be seen running to roads, ditches or watercourses
Rills may develop in some seasons during very wet periods

Lower:
Sediment is rarely seen to move but polluting runoff may enter ditches or watercourses


Crops' susceptibility to erosion:

High: Winter cereals, potatoes, maize, sugar beet
Moderate: Winter forage crops eg turnips, oil-seed rape
Low: Permanent grass, woodland