The process of soil degradation refers to the decline in quality of the soil, which makes it less suited for a specific purpose. The term soil degradation is often used interchangeably with soil erosion, but the two terms are not synonymous. The term erosion is used to describe the loss of soil structure and function, while the term degradation describes the degradation of the soil itself.
In the context of agriculture, erosion and degradation are often considered to be the same process. However, in the case of agricultural soils, degradation can occur at different rates, depending on the type of crop being grown. For example, if a crop is grown on a sandy loam soil, the rate of erosion will be higher than that of a soil that has been treated with chemical fertilizers and/or irrigation water.
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What is soil degradation very short answer?
The physical, chemical and biological decline in soil quality is known as soil degradation. It can be the loss of organic matter, decline in soil fertility, and structural condition, erosion, adverse changes in acidity or alkalinity, and the effects of toxic chemicals, such as pesticides.
These include the use of fertilizers, the amount of water used to irrigate crops, soil compaction due to overgrazing and over-pumping of irrigation water, overuse of pesticides and other chemicals on crops and livestock, as well as the impact of climate change.
What causes soil degradation?
The causes of soil degradation include agricultural, industrial, and commercial pollution, the loss of arable land due to urban expansion, and unsustainable agricultural practices. (UNEP) estimates that the world’s population is expected to reach 9.6 billion by 2050. This is an increase of 1.5 billion people over the current population of 7.3 billion.
In addition, the number of people living on less than $1.25 a day is projected to increase from 1 billion in 2010 to 2.2 billion at the end of the century. UNEP estimates the global population will grow by an average of 3.4 percent per year between 2010 and 2050, with the largest increases occurring in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.
What are three types of soil degradation?
Water erosion, wind erosion, chemical erosion and biological erosion are some of the main types of soil degradation. Water erosion is the most common type of soil degradation. Water erosion occurs when water seeps into the soil and is carried away by the wind. The soil is left with a layer of water-soaked soil.
This layer is called the “wet layer” and can last for many years.
Wet soil can also be caused by a variety of natural processes such as wind; (Check list below)
- Rain
- As well as by human activities
- Logging
- Agriculture
- Road construction
- Snowmelt
- Mining
- Construction of dams
- Other structures
etc. Wind erosion results from the movement of wind-driven air currents.
Wind erosion can occur at any time of year, but is most likely to occur in the spring and summer, when the weather is warm and the air is moving at high speeds.
As the winds blow, they cause the ground to move, causing soil particles to be blown off the surface.
What are five causes of soil degradation?
The manners in which they change the natural composition and structure of the soil are some of the physical factors that contribute to soil degradation. The amount of organic matter available for plant growth is reduced because of the loss of fertile top spoil.
As a result, the plant and animal populations are reduced, which in turn leads to a decrease in soil fertility. This is the main reason for the decline in crop yields and the consequent reduction in agricultural production.
What are effects of soil degradation?
This results in the death of millions of microorganisms and can cause flooding and erosion in other areas. Landslides and floods, an increase in pollution, desertification and a decline in biodiversity are some of the consequences of soil degradation. The study, published in Environmental Science & Technology, is the first to quantify the impact of soil degradation on the global carbon cycle.
It was conducted by a team of researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in collaboration with the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA). The research was funded by the US Department of Energy’s Office of Science.
What are the types of degradation?
Climate change, desertification, land degradation, and water and air pollution are the five most common forms of environmental degradation. The report also notes that the world’s population is expected to reach 9.6 billion by 2050, which will require an increase in food production to feed the growing population.
In order to meet this demand, the report , we will need to increase agricultural production by an average of 1.5 percent per year for the next 50 years. .
