ABSTRACT
Soil erosion is a naturally occurring process. Accelerated erosion is a problem common to agriculture, mining, and construction wherever natural cover is reduced and soil is left unprotected. Mechanical erosion control measures are implemented to minimize onsite and offsite impacts of these activities, as well as to rehabilitate degraded lands. Often, mechanical erosion controls are applied in combination with vegetative erosion control techniques. The general goals of erosion control technologies are to alter runoff patterns and protect the soil surface, thereby reducing the erosive power of water. This article reviews mechanical erosion control technologies and the hydrologic and erosion processes they affect.
