Texas Surveyors Practice Exam

What is the effect of erosion on land?

1. Expansion of property

2. Visible land loss

3. Increase in property value

4. Stabilization of riverbanks

The correct answer is: Visible land loss

Erosion significantly impacts land by leading to visible land loss. This process involves the wearing away of soil and rock from the land's surface, primarily due to natural forces such as wind, water, and ice. As these materials are removed and carried away, the physical boundaries of property can shift, creating noticeable decreases in land area. This change can affect land ownership and usage rights, potentially leading to disputes over property lines. In contrast, options suggesting expansion of property or increases in property value are generally not accurate as erosion typically diminishes land area and can reduce the value of property due to the loss of usable land. While some processes may contribute to stabilization in specific areas, like sediment deposition in certain cases, erosion itself does not stabilize riverbanks; rather, it often creates further vulnerability to erosion along those same banks. Therefore, the correct choice highlights the fundamental and observable consequence of erosion on land.