Gully erosion
Also called: Gully · Topic: Soils of India: Types, Degradation and Conservation · NCERT: Class 10, Ch 1 "Resources and Development"; Class 11, Ch 6 "Natural Hazards and Disasters: Causes, Consequences and Management"; Class 11, Ch 6 "Landforms and their Evolution"
Meaning
Gully erosion happens when running water collects into streams and cuts deep channels, called gullies, into the land. It is most common in soft, clayey soils without plant cover. It starts as small channels (rills). If nothing stops it, these grow into gullies. When gullies spread over a large area, the land becomes badland that cannot be farmed. Ploughing up and down a slope speeds this up, because the furrows carry runoff fast.
Example
In the Chambal basin, across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, gully erosion has cut deep ravines. Gully plugging and planting trees are used to check it.
Don't confuse with
- Sheet erosion: in sheet erosion, water flows as a thin, even sheet and removes topsoil over a wide area without cutting channels. Gully erosion cuts deep, narrow channels.