Soil erosion is caused by which of the following?

• A. Wearing away of the soil due to water or wind.
• B. Applying lime at high levels.
• C. Large insect and disease infestations.
• D. Not fertilizing and watering.

Answer: (A)

Soil erosion is the wearing away of soil by water or wind. This happens when raindrop impact breaks apart soil and surface runoff carries the loosened particles away, or when dry, bare soil is blown by the wind. The result is loss of topsoil, reduced fertility, poorer water-holding capacity, and potential sedimentation in waterways. The other options describe changes to soil chemistry or plant health rather than the actual removal of soil: lime alters pH, pests affect plants, and not fertilizing or watering affects growth but not the physical loss of soil.