A Natural Resource Management Guide for the County of Morris A ...

Management Considerations
Soil is subject to migration via ice, wind, and water. Human activities have exacerbated the effect of these
natural forces. We have flattened and created new slopes, cut and fill, removed stones and boulders, mixed
horizons by plowing the land, added fertilizers, landscaped, and imported and exported soils. Many of these
activities have resulted in environmental and economic impacts including degraded water quality, reduced
infiltration, increased flooding potential, and habitat destruction. Conversely our efforts in soil conservation
have benefitted agricultural lands, vegetated lands, animal habitat, which in turn enhances species diversity,
surface water quality, aquifer recharge capability, and flood attenuation.
From Natural Hazards
Impacts
The primary impacts associated with soil are erosion and sedimentation. Soil properties determining soils’
erodibility include: texture, slope, soil structure, and organic matter content. A rather simple process, erosion
can have devastating affects. Its evolution consists of 3 phases:
raindrops or flowing water break natural physical and chemical bonds between soil particles
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surface flow carries particles downslope
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as erosive energy of water diminishes, soil particles are deposited as sediment
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The rate of erosion depends on:
the type and amount of rainfall
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the length and steepness of slope
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the erodibility of soil
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! landcover - bare soil is most vulnerable to erosion
Human Derived Impacts
Erosion is believed to be the largest source of pollution in our waterways. While a natural dynamic, human
intervention by way of clearing land, farming activities, and many development-related activities, has
accelerated the pace. Impacts, secondary to erosion and sedimentation, include:
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loss of flood water storage
degradation of wildlife habitat
degraded ground water quality (increased nutrients, toxics)
degraded surface water quality (increased nutrients, toxics, turbidity)
changes in stream morphology
silting of water bodies and reservoirs
clogging of storm drains and detention basins
loss of agricultural productivity
undermining of roads and bridges
Sedimentation degrades the receiving water column, and clogs sewer lines, storm drainage systems,
waterways, reservoirs, floodplains and associated habitats. Sediment serves as a vehicle for contaminants,
reduces oxygen content, alters normal drainage flow, and reduces recreation and scenic value. Nutrients
attached to sediment can stimulate algae growth which blocks sunlight. These alterations imperil aquatic
plants and wildlife, and consequently the cleansing mechanisms vital to maintaining the integrity of the
stream.
A Natural Resource Management Guide
for the County of Morris 35