Students measure slopes and calculate the percent slope in their schoolyard.
In restorations, it is important to determine the slope of the land in order to estimate the erosion potential of the site and to select the most appropriate planting techniques. The degree of slope also affects soil moisture and, therefore, influences species selection. The slope of a land area is expressed as the number of feet the land rises or falls over a distance of 100 feet. The amount of slope is written as a percent. Usually steep upper slopes are drier than lower or gentle slopes.