New Model Measures Erosion

Arizona State University (ASU) has developed a new geographical model to help determine the amount of man caused soil erosion. The model uses archaeological records to find out how human interactions effect the environment.

One of the key findings from this model was by co-researcher Michael Barton found a "combination of shifting cultivation and grazing results in more erosion run off, but that run off actually makes the farmland more fertile." The test area was a smaller piece of land and Barton notes that same kinds of land use will also cause loss of productive farmland in larger areas.

The model created by ASU digs deeper to find out how human decision making-effects the land.

What do you think about this new model by ASU? Do you feel it will be helpful when determining how to stop soil erosion?

Link to article:

http://asunews.asu.edu/20100513_archaeologymodeling