The Mississippi watershed is the largest in North America, draining all or part of thirty-two states in the United States and two Canadian provinces. A new apartment complex is being built on a steep slope near the source of the Mississippi River outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Which of the following measures should be taken to best reduce erosion at the construction site to protect the Mississippi watershed?

Add a paved surface at the top of the slope.

A

Add a paved surface at the top of the slope.

B Remove trees and shrubs from the slope and the riverbank.

C Move all of the topsoil from the site to the riverbank.

D Plant grass and shrubs on the slope.

Question

Advanced Placement (AP)

Tommy Ray

18 February, 18:05

The Mississippi watershed is the largest in North America, draining all or part of thirty-two states in the United States and two Canadian provinces. A new apartment complex is being built on a steep slope near the source of the Mississippi River outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Which of the following measures should be taken to best reduce erosion at the construction site to protect the Mississippi watershed?

Add a paved surface at the top of the slope.

A

Add a paved surface at the top of the slope.

B Remove trees and shrubs from the slope and the riverbank.

C Move all of the topsoil from the site to the riverbank.

D Plant grass and shrubs on the slope.

+2

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Zackery Yu · Answer 1

D. Plant grass and shrubs on the slope.

Explanation:

Vegetation cover is the most important factor in soil protection because it affects soil erosion in several ways, namely: through the spatial effects of vegetation cover, the kinetic energy effects of rain and the role of vegetation in aggregate stability.

Vegetation cover, such as grass and shrubs, is able to reduce erosion rates on slopes through: rain impact protection, decreased runoff, decreased runoff velocity and increased water infiltration capacity in the ground.