Perceptions of Soil Erosion in the Early Soil Survey, 1899-1929.

When the U.S. Soil Survey was initiated in 1899, soil erosion, generally, was ignored by scientists and the public alike. By 1929, erosion and its prevention had become important national concerns. What explains the change in attitudes towards soil erosion over these three decades? This presentation seeks to answer this question with a discussion of some the important factors that influenced evolving perceptions of erosion during this period. These include recognition of erodibility as an important soil characteristic, increased knowledge about the distribution of soil types, the commercialization of synthetic fertilizers, and the onset of an agricultural depression in the United States.  Each of these factors in turn helped to inform the development of concern for soil erosion and contributed to broad support for a national program of soil conservation after 1929.