Soil erosion, as a biological process, refers to the detachment, transport, and redistribution of soil particles that is significantly mediated or modulated by living organisms, particularly plants, soil biota, and to a lesser extent animals and microorganisms. Vegetation cover, root architecture, litter production, and bioturbation by fauna influence aggregate stability, infiltration capacity, and surface roughness, thereby controlling susceptibility to erosive forces such as rain splash and overland flow. Biological crusts and microbial exudates further stabilize soil structure, while disturbances to biological communities (e.g., vegetation removal, grazing, or shifts in microbial composition) can markedly accelerate erosion rates and alter nutrient cycling, carbon storage, and ecosystem productivity.
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