Soil erosion can be classified into which two categories?

The correct classification of soil erosion includes wind and water, as these are the two primary forces that cause soil particles to be removed and transported. Wind erosion occurs primarily in dry and bare soil surfaces where strong winds can lift and carry away loose particles. It is especially prevalent in arid and semi-arid regions, leading to significant land degradation.

Water erosion, on the other hand, can manifest in several forms, including raindrop impact, surface runoff, and the action of flowing water in streams and rivers. This type of erosion can greatly alter landscapes, remove nutrients from soil, and contribute to sedimentation in waterways. Water erosion can be further categorized into sheet, rill, and gully erosion, emphasizing its complexity.

The other options focus on different contexts: gravity primarily acts to move soil downhill, while ice erosion, though it can occur, is not as significant a process as wind and water regarding soil erosion in most areas. Overland and stream refer more to the types of runoff and movement of water rather than classifications of erosion itself. Thus, wind and water succinctly encompass the main processes driving soil erosion.