Question

Among the ecosystem services are control of floods and soil erosion. How is this achieved by the biotic components of the ecosystem?

Answer 1

Problems like flood, drought and soil erosion can be controlled by preserving the ecosystem. Roots of trees hold the soil particles, which creates obstructions in the flow of water and air. This obstruction is removed by felling of trees. The upper fertile layer of the soil gets destroyed by flowing with strong winds or rainwater. This is called soil erosion. Cutting off trees in the catchment areas of mountains causes floods in the plains, and it takes a more severe form. During floods, the water of the rivers hits the banks at a high speed and keeps cutting them. As a result, the flow of the river starts in other directions besides the normal direction. Tree plantation is the primary measure of flood control and preventing soil erosion. Trees are helpful in preventing wind erosion in deserts. Trees help in reducing the intensity of wind speed, which reduces the rate of erosion.