Final answer:
Land with big hills generally experiences more erosion than flat land due to increased runoff, less water infiltration, and susceptibility to landslides, especially where vegetation is removed. Steep slopes lead to shallower soil development and are affected by the slope aspect in relation to sun exposure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Land with big hills is more prone to erosion than flat land due to several factors influencing the topography and drainage patterns of an area. Regions with steep slopes such as hilly or mountainous areas usually have higher rates of soil erosion, more runoff of rainwater, and less water infiltration. This often results in shallower soil development compared to that of flat regions. Landscapes with significant slopes are also subject to other forms of erosion like landslides, which can be triggered by heavy rainfall, earthquakes, or volcanic activity, causing large-scale movement of the earth down slopes.
The local landscape affects microclimates and influences water runoff, which can strip away nutrients and parent material from the soil. The aspects of slopes can also play a role; for instance, in the northern hemisphere, south-facing slopes receive more direct sunlight and tend to be warmer and drier, often leading to different soil and vegetation characteristics than on cooler, moister north-facing slopes. The latter typically have thicker soil development due to lower rates of evapotranspiration and enhanced soil stability provided by plant roots.
The removal of forest cover has been shown to significantly increase rates of erosion, underscoring the importance of vegetation in maintaining soil integrity. Thus, the statement that land with big hills will have more erosion than flat land is true.