Erosion and Deposition: Wind, Gravity, and Living Things - Quiz Quiz Answers

Vegetation can reduce erosion and stabilize slopes through physical and hydrological processes. However, some landscape observations may result from other factors not related to vegetation cover. Classify each statement based on whether it describes a condition influenced by vegetation presence or a condition unrelated to vegetation.

Match each vegetation-related condition to the type of surface change or erosion pattern it is most likely to create.

In a semi-arid region, vegetation was removed from slopes that had historically absorbed occasional rainfall through grass and shrub systems. Several months later, storms resulted in rapid landscape change. Which process most likely contributed to the change?

A team modeled how vegetation placement affects the direction and concentration of runoff and sediment build-up on a slope. In one model, curved rows of shrubs were planted to follow the slope's contours. This arrangement slowed runoff and caused sediment to accumulate in patches behind the shrub rows, often in stable zones upslope. In the other model, shrub rows were planted directly downslope. This arrangement channeled runoff straight downhill, and sediment collected more evenly at the base of the slope. Which explanation best supports how vegetation influenced deposition in this case?

After large tracts of mangrove forest were removed along a tropical coastline, researchers observed measurable shoreline retreat within five years. Which statement best explains this outcome?

Match each vegetation-based mitigation strategy to the hazard-prevention function it supports.

A steep hillside above a rural village had remained stable for years. After a week of intense rainfall, the slope gave way, triggering a landslide that blocked nearby roads and damaged part of the landscape. Which condition most likely contributed to slope failure by altering the balance between resisting and driving forces?

In the 1930s, massive dust storms swept across the central United States, damaging farms and forcing families to flee. Many of these storms were intensified by the land management practices used at the time. Classify each farming practice based on whether it would have intensified or helped prevent the dust storms.

A coastal highway was built on a bluff overlooking the ocean in a region with frequent tectonic activity. The bluff sits above a fault line that shifts slightly, even during minor earthquakes. Recently, inspectors observed widening cracks along the road, and residents reported loud popping sounds from the slope during a storm. Which explanation best describes what is happening and what may occur next?

A conservation team is studying a wetland that has recently expanded due to a large beaver dam. Nearby, they notice new plants growing along the water’s edge and fewer signs of erosion on the banks. The team wants to understand whether the beavers are playing a role in reducing erosion in the area. Which explanation best connects the beavers’ actions to reduced erosion in this environment?