There are two main types of soil erosion: (a) erosion by wind and (b) erosion by water.

(a) Wind erosion

• This occurs when the wind removes and carries away the loose, dry top soil particles.
• Wind erosion occurs where rainfall is low,-the · land surface is left bare of vegetation or the vegetation is scanty, allowing the soil to dry out and become loose.
• Not only does wind erosion damage the land by drying out soil and reducing the nutrients of the land, it can also cause air pollution.
• Cameroon, a major area of soil erosion by wind is the Chad lowlands of North Cameroon.

(b) Water erosion

• This occurs when running water caused by rainfall and melting of snow carries away the top soil particles.
• Water erosion is more widespread than wind erosion.
• There are two different types of water erosion sheet erosion and gully erosion.