When footpath erosion occurs, it indirectly causes soil erosion.

ROLE:

Soil plays an important role in the ecosystem such as by regulating water and nutrient flows and in turn, helping to filter toxic compounds. Moreover, by providing a diverse chemical and physical habitat, it helps to sustain the growth of a wide variety of organisms.

IMAPCTS:

• In the loss of farmland such as paddy fields
• Water pollution due to the presence of pollutants
• The need to clear eroded soil from roads and reservoirs which is costly, due to sediments being washed away by water and deposited on the slope, roads and in reservoirs.
• Causing massive soil movement (e.g. slope collapsing) which endangers the public
• Destruction of the topsoil which contains the highest amount of nutrients.
• Thus, the amount of yielded crops or grown crops is directly impacted
• Damaged outlet pipes not well-maintained and thus, unable to withstand the pressure of soil erosion and caving
• Removal of Inputs to a farm (e.g. seed, fertilizer, pesticides) as they can be moved out of their position easily by rain
• Loss of soil directly affects the quality, in terms of nutrients and erodibility, structure. In turn.the weakened soil structure makes it more prone to erosion, thus modifying the soil texture.
• Displaced soil that collects at the slope or at the bottom of the slope will delay seeds from growing, bury small seedlings and require replanting in the areas affected.
• In turn, displaced sediments which reach water bodies (e.g. lakes and rivers), increase the speed at which erosion is taking place, obstruct drainage areas and water channels required to channel water away. Also, silt in reservoirs cause pollution and cover fish spawning grounds hence, decreasing the number of fish.
• Pesticides and fertilizers are transported with the displaced soil. This results in the contamination of downstream water sources and recreational areas.