4 ijreh nov-2017-5-a review of vegetation cover

International journal of Rural Development, Environment and Health Research(IJREH) [Vol-1, Issue-4, Nov-Dec, 2017]
https://dx.doi.org/10.22161/ijreh.1.4.4 ISSN: 2456-8678
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A Review of Vegetation Cover as a Natural Factor
to Soil Erosion
Igwe, P.U.; Ezeukwu, J.C.; Edoka, N.E.; Ejie, O.C.; Ifi, G.I.
1
Department of Environmental Management, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, P.M.B. 02, Uli, Anambra State,
Nigeria
Abstract— Soil erosion is a major global environmental
problem driven by a number of both natural and
anthropogenic factors. The objective of this paper is to
conduct a review of previous works on vegetation cover as
a natural factor of soil erosion. The study made a review of
academic/journal articles, internet materials, conference
papers, books and publicly available materials on
vegetation as a factor of soil erosion. From the review,
previous authors had a unity of opinion that vegetation
cover is an important index to evaluate the soils’ sensivity
to erosion. Uncovering the soil exposes it to the vagaries of
erosion ranging from rainsplash to gully erosion that may
be irreversible in forms of badlands. Recommendations of
the study include: (1) making legislations mandating
landholders to cover their soils using mainly economic trees
as a source of livelihoods as well as protecting the soil
against the forces of raindrops and runoff; (2) agroforestry
by farmers and reforestation programme by governments to
increase vegetation cover of soils so as to reduce the impact
of raindrops and runoff that detach and transport soil
particles; and (3) creation of awareness among the
generality of the populace on the importance of vegetation
in protecting the soil against erosion and maintaining the
world’s climate.
Keywords—Plant Roots, Rainfall, Review, Soil Erosion,
Sustainable Development, Vegetation Cover.
I. INTRODUCTION
Soil erosion is a major problem in the world (Lant,
Kraft,Beaulieu, Bennette,Loftust and Nicklow, 2005).
Godone and Stanche (2011) opined that soil erosion is one
of the main soil threats comprising soil productive and
protective function. Soil erosion is a serious environmental,
economic and social problem; it does not only cause land
degradation and soil productivity loss, but also threatens the
stability and health of the society in general and sustainable
development of rural areas in particular (Jing, Wang and
Zheng, 2005).
Globally, it has been estimated that 1.1billion hectares of
land are affected by soil erosion (Pathak,Wani and Sudi,
2005), with an annual global loss of agricultural land due to
erosion estimated at 3million hectares (Woreka,2004).
According to Morgan (2005), soil erosion is a hazard
traditionally associated with agriculture in tropical and
semi-arid areas, and is important for its long-term effects on
soil productivity and sustainable agriculture. In Africa, 8.5
percent of the mean yield loss is associated with soil erosion
(Eswaran, Lal and Reich, 2001). In Nigeria, Agulu-Nanka
in Anambra State is an area badly affected by soil erosion;
up to 250 tons per hectares have been lost (Kalu, 2001).
Adinna (2001) defined erosion as the gradual or forceful
removal of weathered rock from the point of weathering.
Ahnert (2003) asserted that soil erosion is the displacement
of soil particles by agents of tillage, wind, water and snow,
and down slope movement to gravity. Igbokwe, Akinyede,
Dang, Ono, Nnodu and Anike (2008) saw soil erosion as an
accelerated process under which soil is bodily displaced and
transported away faster than it can be formed. Francis
(2012) said that soil erosion is the removal of top soil than
the soil forming processes can replace it due to natural,
animal and human activities such as overgrazing, over
cultivation, deforestation and mechanical farming.
Eyankware, Eyankware and Effam (2015) opined that soil
erosion is denudation process that involves three stages of
rock decay decomposition, transportation and deposition.
The factors that affect soil erosion could be natural or
anthropogenic; natural factors influencing soil erosion are
soil texture, rainfall intensity, soil type, climate, erodibility,
slope and vegetation cover (Kirchlof and Salako 2008). Soil
erosion is triggered by anthropogenic factors such as
deforestation, slash-and burn agriculture, intensive
cultivation for agriculture and overgrazing (Blanco and Lal,
2008). Both natural and anthropogenic factors contribute in
different degrees to rainsplash- sheet- rill- gully erosion
processes by the detachment and transport of soil particles,
thereby creating on-site and off-site environmental and
socio-economic impacts.

Vegetation cover is defined as the assemblage of plant
species that provides cover to the ground, to control the
harm and reduce the risk of soil erosion (Sharma, 2009).
The natural vegetation protects the soil against impacts of
rainfall. It improves infiltration and enhances the recharging
of the ground water reservoirs. When vegetation cover is
displaced, infiltration capacity is decreased (Zuazo and
Plaguezuele, 2008; Vanoost, Govers and Desmet, 2008).
Therefore, the issue of soil erosion deserves priority
attention to mitigate its dire consequences on the land status
and environmental quality. This paper focused on reviewing
vegetation cover as a natural factor of soil erosion.
1.1 Statement of the Problem
Soil erosion is a natural geomorphological process
resulting from water and land interactions but accelerated to
become an environmental hazard by human activities such
as clearing of forest for cultivation, poor farming practices
and encroachment into marginal lands (Farayi, 2011).
Accelerated soil erosion is a major ecological problem in
the tropics (Hartemink, 2002). Human induced soil erosion
and associate damage to all agricultural land over many
years have resulted to the loss of valuable agricultural land.
Due to abandonment and reduced productivity of the
remaining land which is partly made up for, by addition of
nitrogen and phosphate fertilizer (Pimentel, 2006). For
instance, increased rates of soil erosion are directly
associated with nutrient loss, which may reduce agricultural
productivity, (Bakker, 2007) and cause water bodies’
eutrophication (Istanovics, 2009). Soil erosion reduces the
general productivity of terrestrial ecosystem (Pimentel,
Petrotra, Riley, Jacquet, Honigman and Valero, 2006). It
increases runoff thereby decreasing water infiltration and
the water storage capacity of the soil (Troeh, Hobbs and
Donahue, 2004). For example loss of soil organic matter
increases water runoff which reduces the soil’s water
storage capacity that diminishes nutrient levels in soil and
also reduces the natural biota, biomass and biodiversity of
soil ecosystem (Brevik, 2013). Lack of vegetation cover
exposes the soil to high intensity rainfall resulting to poor
structure and increases the rate of runoff, which detaches
soil particles and causes soil erosion (Egbai, Eric and
Ogogo, 2012). When vegetation cover is displaced,
infiltration capacity is decreased (Zuazo and Plaguezuele,
2008; Vanoost , Govers and Desmet, 2008).
1.2. Objective of the Study
The objective of this paper is to review vegetation cover as
a natural factor of soil erosion.
II. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK: SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
This research is based on the concept of sustainable
development. In the opinion of World Conference on
Environment and Development (WCED) (1987),
sustainable development is development that meets the
needs of the present without compromising the ability of
future generation to meet their own needs. Morelli (2010)
saw sustainable development as meeting the resources and
service needs for current and future generations without
compromising the health of the ecosystems that provide
them and more specifically as a condition of balance,
resilience and interconnection that allows human society to
satisfy its needs while neither exceeding the capacity of its
supporting ecosystems to continue to regenerate the services
necessary to meet those needs nor by our actions
diminishing biological diversity. Vegetation cover is a
major factor of soil erosion which this research focuses on
so as to build sustainability into soil erosion management.
III. METHOD
This research made use of academic articles, journals,
conference paper, textbooks and internet materials on soil
erosion and vegetation cover as a natural factor. The
researchers had ( 43 ) materials for the research but
summarized (10) that centered more on vegetation cover as
a natural factor of soil erosion. This enabled the researchers
to make a synthesis of various researchers’ views on
vegetation cover as a natural factor of soil erosion.
IV. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Rey (2003) carried out a study on influence of vegetation
distribution on sediment yield in forested Marly gullies in
France and stated that plant cover protected soil against
erosion by reducing water runoff. Gyssel, Poesen, Bochet
and Li (2005) conducted a study on the impact of plant
roots on the resistance of soil erosion by water and asserted
that plant stabilized the soil with their roots. Kateb, Zhang,
Zhang and Mosandi (2013) carried out a study on soil
erosion and surface runoff on different vegetation cover and
slope gradients in Southern Shaanxi Province China and
claimed that the amount of erosion was considerably
influenced by changes in vegetation cover. A study
conducted in China on effect of vegetation cover on
grassland on runoff and sediment yield in loess hilly region
by Zhao, Chen, Huang, Wu and Helmer (2013) revealed
that runoff and sediment yields are meaningfully influenced

by vegetation. Bochet and Garcia-Fayos (2004), in their
study on the factors controlling vegetation establishment
and water on motor way slopes, in Valencia Spain noted
that vegetation reduced water-caused erosion by
intercepting rainfall, increasing water infiltration on
associated soil- fertility islands, intercepting runoff at soil
surface level and stabilizing the soil by root. In China, Zhou
and Shangguan (2007) studied effects of dry grass roots and
shoots on loess erosion under simulated rainfall and stated
that increasing the amount of vegetation can lead to runoff
generation and erosion control. In their research on soil
erosion and runoff response to plant cover strips on semi-
arid slopes in Spain Martinez, Duran and Francia (2006)
asserted that the role of vegetation is summarized by
introducing water runoff and increasing soil infiltration.
Moreira,Silva, Righetto, Medeinis (2008) conducted a
research in Brazil on sediment and overflow of soil erosion,
in undisturbed Brazilian North-Eastern semi-arid
experimental plot, and reported that vegetation cover
protects soil surface from splash, increase surface roughness
and enhances soil structure and macro- porosity. In his
research in England on runoff generation in semi-arid areas
Beven (2002) noted that runoff generation and soil loss in
semi-arid regions are affected by non-linear and complex
interdependency among rainfall properties, soil moisture
and vegetation characteristics. Furthermore, he observed
that vegetation has an important effect on infiltration and
soil water storage capacity. Eshghizadeh,Talebi, Dastorani
and Azimzadeh ( 2015) investigated the effect of land
cover on runoff and soil loss at hill-slope scale in Mashad
Iran and reported that increase in land cover reduces soil
loss and results in the increase of permeability in canopy
and litter. Additionally, they opined that litter and plant
cover caused overland flow, velocity reduction, and surface
roughness increase, enhancing soil infiltration through
greater macro-pore density and improving soil structure by
contributing organic matter.
Madi, Mouzai and Bouhadef (2013) studied plant cover
effects on overland flow and on soil erosion under
simulated rainfall intensity in Algeria and asserted that
vegetation is an effective way of fighting erosion and is
important in soil conservation. In a research on runoff and
soil loss under individual plants of semi-arid Mediterranean
shrub land: Influence of plant morphology and rainfall
intensity in Spain by Bochet, Poesen and Rubio (2006), it
was observed that vegetation influences soil erosion mainly
by intercepting rainfall and protecting the soil surface
against the raindrops and by intercepting runoff. They
further stated that vegetation influences the fluxes of water
and sediment by increasing stability and cohesion and by
improving water infiltration. Zuazo, Tajero, Martin and
Fernandez (2011) carried out a study on soil erosion;
causes, processes and effects in Spain and was of the
assertion that vegetation influence soil erosion by
interception of rain water. Zuazo and Plaguezuele (2008)
carried out a study on soil erosion and runoff prevention by
plant cover in Granada Spain and reported that when
vegetation cover is displaced, infiltration capacity is
decreased. Rehman, Rashid, Kausar, Alvi and Hussain
(2015) in their research in Paskistan on slope gradient and
vegetation cover effect on runoff and sediment yield in hill
slope, noted that increase in vegetation cover results in a
significant reduction in discharge of sediment. De-Baets,
Poesen, Knappen, Babera and Navorro (2007) studied root
characteristics of representative Mediterranean plant species
and their erosion reducing potential during concentrated
runoff in Murcia Spain and was of the opinion that plant
cover played an important role in reducing erosion and
protecting soil from degradation. In his research on role of
vegetation pattern in structuring runoff and sediment fluxes
in dryland in Almeria Spain, Puidefabregas (2004) was of
the view that plant canopies play a role in shielding the soil
from radiation and rainfall.
Table.1: Summary of Characteristics of Some of the Studies that described Vegetation as a Natural Factor of Soil Erosion
S/N Author(s) Topic of
Research
Method(s) Result(s) Recommendation(s) Conclusion
1. Eshghizedeh,
Talebi,
Dastorani and
Azimzadeh
(2015).
Effect of
natural land
covers on
runoff and soil
loss at the hill
slope scale.
Field
observation and
Experiment.
Increase in
the land
covers
reduces the
soil loss.
Planting of land
should be
encouraged because
removal of land
covers increases the
rate of soil loss.
Identifying the
importance of
land covers that
influence
runoff and soil
loss is
necessary in
management
strategies.

Research
2. Gyssel, Poesen,
Bochet and Li
(2005).
Impacts of
plants roots on
the resistance
of soil
erosion.
Field
observation and
Measurement.
It shows
that Plant
roots have
the largest
effects on
soil erosion
resistance in
the top layer
of the soil.
For reduction of rill
and ephemeral gully
erosion rates the use
of plant species that
develop a dense root
network should be
planted.
The effect of
plant roots on
increasing the
resistance of
the soil to
concentrated
flow erosion
mainly depend
on the presence
and distribution
of effective
plant roots.
3. Kateb, Zhang,
Zhang and
Mosandi
(2013).
Soil erosion
and surface
runoff on
different
vegetation
cover and
slope gradient.
Field
experiment.
There is no
significant
difference
between
low and
high forest
for both
runoff and
soil loss.
Well-designed land
use plans based on
scientific
information are
crucial to support
reducing soil
erosion.
Soil loss is
more sensitive
than runoff to
changes in
vegetation
cover.
4. Rehiman ,
Rashid,
Kausar, Alvi
and Hussian
(2015).
Slope gradient
and vegetation
cover effect
on the runoff
and sediment
yield in Hill
slope
Agriculture
Experimentation. It showed
that
vegetation
distributions
were
strongly
influenced
by the
pattern and
sediment
loss.
Planting of crop in
the sloping land
helps in the
resistance of soil
erosion.
Topographic
gradient has an
important
influence on
crop yield.
5. Rey (2003). Influence of
vegetation
distribution on
sediment yield
in forested
marly gullies.
Physical
Measurement.
The key
result of this
study is that
trenches
carried out
on gully
floor and on
slope of
vegetation
barrier
revealed
deposit of
movable
sediments.
There is need to
establish total
vegetation cover in a
gully to stop the
sediment yield at the
outlet.
Vegetation
distribution in
gully is
important in
reducing
sediment yield
at its outlets.
6. Zuazo, and
Pleguezuele
(2008).
Soil erosion
and runoff
prevention by
plant.
Literature review
of journals
articles.
It showed
that most of
the terrace
developed
variation in
crop
production.
Changes in plant
cover have a greater
impact on both
runoff and erosion.
A reduction in
plant cover can
intensify
erosion
processes that
diminish soil
quality.

Research
7. Zuazo,
Plaguezuele,
Martin Peinado,
De- Graaf,
Martinez and
Flanagan(2010).
Environmental
impact of
introducing
plants cover in
the taluses of
terraces
laboratory
analysis.
It shows
that plant
cover
softened the
mechanical
impact of
the
raindrops
on the soil
surface of
the taluses,
diminishing
the surface
runoff.
It was recommended
that, To protect
structures (taluses of
orchard terraces),
use of plant cover
avoids soil loss and
environmental
pollution.
Implementation
of aromatic
plant covers in
the taluses of
subtropical
orchard terrace
to substantially
reduce soil
erosion and
runoff.
8. Madi, Mouzai,
and Bouhadef
(2013).
Plant covers
effect on
overland flow
and on soil
erosion under
simulated
rainfall
intensity.
Experimentation.
The result
found
shows that
the mean
flow
velocity
decreases
with
increasing
stem
density.
It was recommended
that plant cover
should be planted to
improve water and
soil conservation and
reduce runoff and
eroded sediments.
It concluded
that the stem of
plant could
effectively
control erosion
on a sandy-
loam soil.
9 De-Baet,
Poesen,
Knappen,
Babera, and
Navorro(2007).
Root
characteristics
of
representative
Mediterranean
plant species
and their
erosion
reducing
potential
during
concentrated
runoff.
Field
measurement.
It shows
that the
depth at
which there
is high
density of
roots is
most
probably
linked to the
availability
of soil
water.
Species with dense
ground cover and a
root system that
promotes macro-
porosity of the soil
to re-vegetate
degraded soil in
Mediterranean
environment
Desirable root
characteristics
for reducing
potential of
vegetation
depend both on
the process of
interest and
environmental
characteristics.
10. Puigefabregas
(2004).
The role of
vegetation
patterns in
structuring
sediment
fluxes in
dryland.
Field
observation and
experimentation.
it shows
that
generally
exponential
decrease in
erosion
occurs
above
certain level
of plant
cover
When there is
increase in
vegetation cover
erosion decreases
Vegetation
canopies
modification
functions
affects the soil.
Source: Researchers’ Design, 2017

V. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Vegetation cover provides a blanket cover to soil against
raindrops and runoff that detach and transport soil particles.
From Table 1, the researchers’ topics are concerned with
investigating vegetation cover as a very important factor of
soil erosion. The methods used in collecting data are
standard, ranging from measurement to laboratory analysis.
From the review of previous works by researchers ( for
example Eshghizedeh, Talebi, Dastorani and Azimzadeh,
2015; Rehiman, Rashid, Kausar, Alvi and Hussain, 2015;
Puigefabregas 2004), plant cover reduces the impact of
raindrops on soils and soil erosion. Similarly, plant roots
increase the resistance of soil to erosion (Gyssel, Poesen,
Bochet and Li, 2005; De-Baet, Poesen, Knappen, Babera
and Navorro, 2007). All previous researchers whose works
were reviewed agreed that increase in vegetation cover
would lower water-induced soil erosion in many ways,
including intercepting rainfall and stabilizing the soil
through the plant root system. The implication is that plant
cover protects the soil to a large extent against the influence
of other factors of soil erosion as any area with thick
vegetation cannot suffer serious accelerated soil erosion as
it was before the anthropogenic activities of man began to
uncover the soil. Generally, the studies made
recommendation aimed at covering the soil to reduce soil
erosion.
VI. RECOMMENDATIONS
The specific recommendations emanating from this paper
are:
1. Creation of awareness among the generality of the
populace on the importance of vegetation cover in
protecting the soil against erosion and maintaining the
world’s climate.
2. Agro forestry by farmers and reforestation programme
by government to increase vegetation cover of soils so
as to reduce the impact of raindrops and runoff that
detach and transport soil particles.
3. Researchers should review more works regularly on
vegetation cover as a natural factor to soil erosion to
enable the general public have a broad knowledge on the
topic.
4. Legislations should make landholders cover their soils
using mainly economic trees that provide a source of
livelihoods to them and protect the soil against the
forces of raindrops and runoff.
VII. CONCLUSION
This paper reviewed works done by previous authors on
vegetation cover as a natural factor of soil erosion. From the
review of many studies on vegetation as a natural factor of
soil erosion and based on the results, this study concludes
that for the survival of the global environment which is the
survival of man, maintenance of existing vegetation cover
and planting of trees where the soil has been devegetated
provide the needed panacea for soil erosion management.
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