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Easy⏱ time45 min$ cost4

Soil Erosion Model

Pour 'rain' over bare and planted soil to see how roots hold land in place.

Start building ↓
fig — working model Result first

The build

Step 01

Prepare trays

One bare, one planted, one mulched.

Step 02

Tilt them

Set each at the same slope with a catch cup.

Step 03

Rain on them

Pour water equally over each.

Step 04

Compare runoff

Measure soil washed out of each.

Working Principle

Plant roots and mulch hold soil together and slow the water, so far less soil washes away than from bare ground.

The science behind it

A closer look

Vegetation reduces erosion by anchoring soil and absorbing rainfall energy — key to protecting farmland and slopes.

Take it further

Variables to test

  • 1 Steeper slope — how much more erosion?
  • 2 Compare grass vs mulch protection.
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