Editing Erosion (section)

===Vegetative cover===
{{See also|Vegetation and slope stability}}
Vegetation acts as an interface between the atmosphere and the soil. It increases the [[permeability (earth sciences)|permeability]] of the soil to rainwater, thus decreasing runoff. It shelters the soil from winds, which results in decreased wind erosion, as well as advantageous changes in microclimate. The roots of the plants bind the soil together, and interweave with other roots, forming a more solid mass that is less susceptible to both water<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Gyssels|first1=G.|last2=Poesen|first2=J.|last3=Bochet|first3=E.|last4=Li|first4=Y.|date=2005-06-01|title=Impact of plant roots on the resistance of soils to erosion by water: a review|journal=Progress in Physical Geography|language=en|volume=29|issue=2|pages=189–217|doi=10.1191/0309133305pp443ra|bibcode=2005PrPG...29..189G |s2cid=55243167|issn=0309-1333}}</ref> and wind erosion. The removal of vegetation increases the rate of surface erosion.<ref>{{cite book|author=Styczen, M.E. |author2=Morgan, R.P.C.|chapter=Engineering properties of vegetation|editor=Morgan, R.P.C. |editor2=Rickson, R. Jane|title=Slope Stabilization and Erosion Control: A Bioengineering Approach|publisher=Taylor & Francis|year=1995|isbn=978-0-419-15630-7|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3jXg9pyfikQC&pg=4}}</ref>