Soil degradation, a significant environmental issue, refers to the loss of soil quality due to incorrect usage or poor management, generally for industrial, agricultural, or urban reasons. The foundation of all terrestrial life is soil, a critical natural resource. It is essential for our health to prevent soil degradation.
The following factors may contribute to soil degradation or deterioration:
- Physical factors include erosion of fertile topsoil by water or wind.
- Chemical factors include waterlogging, nutritional depletion, or toxicity brought on by acidity or alkalinity.
- Biological factors that influence soil microbial activity and microflora.
Other elements, including deforestation, heavy cultivation on marginal land, unsuitable farming techniques like monoculture, inadequate manuring, misuse or overuse of fertilisers, excessive irrigation, overgrazing, soil fragility, unfavourable weather, and mining, may increase the degradation of the soil.
Water erosion is one of the leading causes of degradation and is regarded to be the worst because it affects over 87% of the area concerned.
Following are the main causes of soil degradation or unproductivity:
- Water erosion (rill, sheet and gully erosion)
- Salinity and wind erosion (irrigation, dryland, and urban salinity)
- Organic matter reduction
- Soil alkalinity or acidity
- Surface sealing and soil compaction
- Mass movement
- Contamination of soil (impacts of toxic pollutants and chemicals).
Related Links:
- What Is Soil Erosion? – Definition, Causes, Effects, Prevention
- Difference between Erosion and Weathering
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