There are a number of physical factors responsible for the depletion and erosion of soil which may be described as follows:-
(i) The concentration of rainfall
The more concentrated and intensive the showers, the more forcefully they strike the surface and’ greater the runoff erosion.
(ii) Relief of the ground
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On a steeper slope, soil is washed away much more rapidly than on the gentler slope.
(iii) Nature of the soil
The structure, texture and organic matter contents of the soil also affect soil erosion. Light open soils lose more silt than heavier loams.
Heavy black cotton soils, which swell up when wet are probably not denuded as the lighter soils found in the peninsula. The soft shale and sandstone erode more rapidly than limestones, granites etc.
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(iv) Carrying capacity of running water
The eroding capacity as well as the carrying capacity of the water is closely associated with its velocity.
(v) Nature of vegetation cover
Thick vegetation cover retards the soil erosion whereas the greatest loss due to soil erosion occurs when the ground is bare of vegetation.
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Effects of Soil Erosion
(i) Heavy floods in the rivers.
(ii) Lowering of sub-soil water level.
(iv) Water logging and decrease in the crop yields.
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(iv) Destruction of tender vegetation
(vi) Failure of dams due to silting.