Systematic Literature Review: Review of Erosion Control Methods in the 21st Century

Erosion control has become one of the foremost environmental issues of the 21st century due to the accelerated impacts of climate change, land degradation, and unsustainable land management. The method of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was used. Series of eligibility/exclusion criteria were applied: only journal articles, peer reviewed conference papers and government publications were selected; articles in English publications were chosen as well. Only papers published in 1994 Onwards were selected. This systematic review examines the broad array of erosion control methods developed and deployed in the past two decades and their efficacy, sustainability, and applicability across contexts. The review highlights the significance of vegetative strategies, such as cover crops, agroforestry, and reforestation, which not only reduce soil erosion but also enhance ecosystem  services such as carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation. Structural strategies, such as terracing, check dams, and geosynthetic materials, remain effective but are typically limited by their high expense and maintenance requirements. Bioengineering techniques, by vegetative and structural incorporation, are increasingly favored for the double advantage of immediate erosion control alongside promoting long-term ecological recovery. Conservation tillage and soil organic amendments are agricultural management practices that have demonstrated the significance of improved soil quality and tensile strength. Moreover, community and policy-level interventions, such as integrated watershed management and payment for ecosystem services, have also emerged as indispensable methods of combatting erosion at the landsscape level. Despite taking great leaps forward, scaling them up and sustainability over the long term continues to pose a problem. This review underlines integrating technical measures into community involvement coupled with policy action through locally determined strategies. Present studies must focus on optimizing the use of erosion control techniques, optimizing the involvement of stakeholders, and detailing innovative options for addressing emerging problems in a rapidly evolving world. It is feasible to minimize the impact of erosion and promote sustainable land use for generations to come by employing a multidisciplinary method.