What is gully erosion?

Gully erosion refers specifically to the process of deep erosion where water creates a more significant and defined channel in the landscape. This type of erosion occurs when water concentrates in a small area and flows over the land, creating a channel that can grow deeper and wider over time. The result is a gully, which is essentially a large, often steep-sided trench. This process differs from other forms of erosion, like sheet erosion, which involves the removal of thin layers of soil uniformly across a surface, or raindrop impact, which refers to the first stage of soil erosion where raindrops displace soil particles. Gully erosion indicates a more advanced stage of erosion and can lead to significant landscape changes, affecting both soil health and water quality. Understanding this process is crucial in contexts related to erosion control and land management.