The two most serious initiators of surface erosion on shore properties are clearing of ground and tree cover and the compaction or disturbance of shallow soils by construction-related activities such as grading. The role vegetation plays in reducing and guarding against surface erosion is discussed in detail in Section 2 . Illustration 3 shows the process of surface erosion and the damage it can cause. The process is initiated by the force of raindrops striking bare ground and dislodging soil particles. Once dislodged they are transported and become agents of further erosion.
More soil is dislodged and joins the flow.
Topographic features concentrate the flow and are deepened, developing into rills and gullies . Governing the severity and rate of surface erosion are slope, topography, and the properties of the affected soils. Obviously the steeper the slope, the faster the water flows and the greater its erosive capacity. Topographic features such as ditches and swales direct the flow. Soils such as sand and gravel are more prone to surface erosion than denser fine-textured soils.