Soil minerals form the basis of soil. They are produced from rocks (parent material) through the processes of weathering and natural erosion. Water, wind, temperature change, gravity, chemical interaction, living organisms and pressure differences all help break down parent material.
Soil erosion is the displacement of the upper layer of soil; it is a form of soil degradation. This natural process is caused by the dynamic activity of erosive agents, that is, water, ice, snow, air, plants, animals, and humans.
Preventive methods of soil erosion (i) Afforestation Planting more trees reduces soil erosion. (ii) Contour Ploughing Ploughing land in furrows across the natural slope of the land helps trap water and prevent the washing away of top soil along with it.