Effects of Soil Erosion on Water Resources in Slopy Mountainous Areas of Afghanistan and Soil Attrition Control Strategies
Keywords:
Soil conservation methods,, Groundwater, Mountain areas, Surface water, groundwaterAbstract
In the research reported here, we have investigated various kinds of soil erosions in the mountain slope areas in certain parts of Afghanistan. Due to arid conditions, soil erosion represents a major issue in terms of groundwater drawdown and soil cover for infiltration countrywide. The main objective of this research is to study different methods for controlling soil erosion. It is well known that Afghanistan is a mountainous country, and there is more soil located in the slopy mountain areas of the bedrock, and all of these soils become bare without vegetation, during precipitation during the rainy seasons, since soils from surfaces (aquifer layers) are leached from the ground surface and are transported to the plain areas. In this case, the bedrock is exposed to the ground surface, and the precipitation does not infiltrate to bedrock's aquifage layers. This poses a serious problem in Afghanistan since there is no vegetation cover and the entire soil is transported by season floods during the rainy seasons. To control this natural calamity, it is necessary to use a variety of methods to prevent soil erosion during natural events. Certain methods, such as terraces, retaining walls, protection walls, turfing, tree and shrub planting, dry stone masonry, crib wall, gabion wall, reinforced earth wall, pile and tie back walls, toe walls, revetment walls, check dam, surface drainage, stone pitching, prop wall and dentition wall, wattle fence, wire net, tree, and grass planting are used, however, it requires a careful assessment that depends upon the terrain, local conditions, and slopes. The report provides a comprehensive review of different methods used to prevent soil erosion to increase vegetation and prevent soil erosion and runoff in the different mountain areas of Afghanistan. Since soil is a blessing to sustain life, this study is critical to protect this natural resource for the society of the country.
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