The effects of soil erosion go beyond the loss of fertile land. It has led to increased pollution and sedimentation in streams and rivers, clogging these waterways and causing declines in fish and other species.
The key climatic characteristics influencing erosion processes in a given territory include atmospheric precipitation, wind, air temperature, air humidity and solar radiation. The factors having a direct effect on soil erosion are atmospheric precipitation (water erosion) and wind (wind erosion).
Soil erosion by water is a geologic process that has occurred since the Earth formed. The most common human activities leading to accelerated erosion are agricultural practices that occur over vast areas covered with soils that are very productive but easily eroded if not protected from erosive forces.