Subsurface erosion by soil piping – significance and consequences

Subsurface soil erosion is not only a geomorphological, but also a land degradation process that may causeenvironmental damage affecting people’s lives. This process leads to the formation of linear voids (tunnels,pipes) due to the suburface flow, and most often it can be identified indirectly when the pipe roof collapsed.The subsurface nature of this process makes it difficult to study, although recently more studies areconducted. The aim here is to present the recent state of art on soil piping studies around the worldunderlying the significance of this process along with the presentation of its consequences. Soil piping playsan important role in hillslope hydrology, landscape development and land degradation. It also interplayswith gully erosion and mass movements resulting in natural hazards. The consequences of soil piping inpeople’ lives should be raised especially in the context of ongoing climate change.The study is supportedby the National Science Centre, Poland within the project SONATINA ۱ (UMO-۲۰۱۷/۲۴/C/ST۱۰/۰۰۱۱۴).

کلیدواژه ها:

soil erosion ، pipe collapses ، land degradation