Certified Storm Water Operator Practice Exam

What's the best method to prevent erosion?

1. Minimize soil compaction

2. Remove vegetation

3. Remove the minimum amount of vegetation

4. Expand land use

The correct answer is: Remove the minimum amount of vegetation

The best method to prevent erosion is to remove the minimum amount of vegetation. Vegetation plays a crucial role in stabilizing soil, as plant roots hold the soil in place and help absorb rainfall, reducing the impact of raindrops on bare soil. When vegetation is disturbed, the risk of erosion increases significantly due to the loss of this natural barrier. By only removing the minimum amount of vegetation necessary for a project, you preserve as much soil structure and root support as possible. This approach helps maintain the integrity of the soil, reduces runoff, and minimizes the potential for erosion. It allows for an effective balance between necessary land-use activities and environmental protection, ultimately leading to better outcomes in soil conservation and erosion control. Minimizing soil compaction is important too, as it keeps the soil porous and allows for better water infiltration, but it does not directly address erosion in the same way that managing vegetation does. Similarly, expanding land use and removing vegetation altogether can significantly increase the risk of erosion, as large areas of exposed soil become susceptible to water and wind erosion without the protective cover of plants.