Soil Erosion in NZ

Summary:
Soil isn’t just dirt – it holds many nutrients and organisms. New Zealand’s soil is vital to the farming industry.

What is soil erosion?
Wind, rain, floods, rivers, glaciers and earthquakes all erode (wear away) the land. Soil erosion occurs when soil moves (for example sliding down a slope) to a different place. This may be only a short distance, or carried many kilometres away by rivers.

Impact of animals:
The settlers brought rabbits, deer, possums, sheep and cattle. The animals ate and trampled plants and trees, exposing the soil to rain and wind.

Impact of humans:
Humans have sped up soil erosion. New Zealand’s native forests once protected the soil, and tree roots kept subsoil stable. But settlers burnt the trees and planted pasture for sheep and cattle. Rain and floods began washing away the topsoil. On some hill country, soil slid down the slopes.