There are two main ways to protect the soil from erosion.
Stop the Drops. Protect the soil from the power of raindrops, which can break soil particles apart.
Slow the Flow. Find ways to slow down and capture the runoff water moving downhill. The slower that runoff water moves, the less power it has to cut into the soil.
If you can slow down the flow of runoff water, you can reduce soil erosion.
Photo: U of I College of ACES-ITCS