The next factor in vetting a piece of land is erosion. Erosion is typically viewed as negative, yet it is naturally happening. Rachel Carson mentions,
"The real weatlth of the nation lies ion the rescources of the earth- soil, water, forest, minerals, and wildlife."
We can build soils slowly through management techniques season to season, year after year. Wind, water, and mechanical erosion happen continually on the continually changing planet.
If you start with a rock pile, it may take most of your life to build soil economically. Weathering occurs as does change. Water is the most significant shaping factor followed by wind, but it will erode.
If we can classify the severity of erosion on a location, it is as follows.
None to little - Organic matter is seen in the top layer. Topsoil is present, and Subsoil is present. No gullies are present and little to no bare soil is seen.
Moderate - 1/4-3/4 of the original soil formation is present. Small or few gullies may be present, yet subsoil exposure is limited.
Severe - More than 75% of the soil surface has been lost. Subsoil may be showing or mixed in the top levels. Many and often crossable gullies will be seen. This site has issues. Maybe overhead, maybe slope, maybe the past user. Put in permanent vegetation to heal or use mechanical earth surgery to level and terrace the site.
Severe - Almost all topsoil and organic matter is gone and partially some of the subsoil. Large gullies are present. This will limit use unless major land adjustments are done.
If caught and worked with early most erosion can be danced with to gain production.
Evaluate these issues when real estate shopping.
Enjoy.
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