Simple visual method for soil erosion monitoring:

• Observing certain visual signs such as pedestals, rills,litter movement, flow patterns, deposition, winds coured blowouts and gulley features.
• Generally, used to measure erosion in 1970s and early 1980s.
• Includes the following processes.

1) Stakes and pins: Repeated measurement of the height of the ground surface at stakes or erosion pins. This method involves a 25cm long nail and a large washer.

2) Height of the residual soil pedestals: Eroded land can be compared to the former surface that is destroyed due to rapid soil erosion.

3) Exposure of tree roots: The height of exposed root surface from the ground level could be taken as a way to estimate soil erosion.

4) Bench mark leveling surveys: This method is employed to monitor rill and gulley erosion and it quantify widening , deepening and migration of headcuts.

Merits of simple visual methods for soil erosion monitoring

• Relatively quick process.
• Many observations can be made during a field trip.
• Potential erosion problems that require specific monitoring can be identified.

Demerits of simple visual methods for soil erosion monitoring

• This method is subjective and many judgement -based decisions must be made.
• Required adequate training to observers to reduce variable rating.
• The ratings can vary based on the timing of observations relative to when a major storm occurred.
• The ecological site must be known, and a reference sheet is required.