What is the relationship between root system and erosion in a grassland ecosystem?

Question

enviornmental science

Answer 1

The roots of grasses stabilize the soil and prevent erosion in grassland ecosystems.

Roots include as part of their structure microscopic root hairs that attach to soil particles.  A grassland (or even a lawn) has a lot of biomass below ground in roots.  Water falling onto such a system or flowing across it is slowed down by the grasses, which prevents erosion.  

Roots also resist the erosional forces of flowing water.  Soil particles are held in place by the root structure, preventing erosion.  This is true even if fire  or something else destroys the above-ground biomass.

Death of the root system in a grassland ecosystem can result in rapid erosion.  Overgrazing can cause this, because repeated cropping of above-ground growth by grazers (cattle, sheep, goats, etc.) will weaken the plant and eventual cause decline or death of the root system.