These particles stay afloat until the stream enters a lake or pond where the energy level is minimal. Any farmer can tell you that the worst erosion occurs on a field that has just been plowed. Without the roots of trees and grass to hold the particles together, soil will become rapidly eroded, leaving a bulk of the soil somewhere downstream. Plants also help to reduce the energy of running water by literally serving as obstructions to the flow. Finally, leaves of plants help to dissipate the energy from rain drops hitting the ground.
Soils have properties of color and texture and have different capacities to retain water.
The surface of the Earth changes. Some changes are due to slow processes such as erosion and weathering. Landforms are the result of a combination of constructive and destructive forces. Destructive forms include erosion and weathering. Soil consists of weathered rocks and decomposed organic material.