U.S.V.I. Relative Vulnerability to Erosion

Physical factors, such as the slope of the land, the texture of the soil, and the precipitation regime influence erosion in an area. Parts of Puerto Rico are very steep and erosion-prone. In addition, the nature of the soil and intense rainfall events promote severe erosion in these areas. Erosion can be extreme in exposed areas (cleared for a road or residential construction, or where soil is exposed due to cropping patterns or agricultural cycle.)