The human population may double by midcentury. Coupled with improved living standards in underdeveloped nations, this growth will demand unprecedented increases in agricultural production. The great threat to meeting these needs is decreased crop productivity caused by soil erosion. Agricultural productivity and production value are highest in irrigated arid areas, which tend to have shallow, highly erodible soils. Thus, the agricultural systems most capable of meeting future needs are also the most threatened by erosion. Developing effective erosion control methods to protect the sustainability of the Earth's soil is of utmost importance.