Question

Write any two reasons for land degradation today.

Answer 1

• Degradation of soils takes place due to natural factors and human factors.
• Floods, landslides, rain wash, pesticides, overuse of chemical fertilizers, overgrazing, and deforestation are the major factors that lead to the degradation of soil.
• The decline in soil fertility is known as soil degradation.
• Soil degradation occurs when the depth of the soil goes down due to misuse, erosion, and when nutritional status declines.
• Depletion of the soil resource base in India is due to soil degradation.
• According to the amount of rainfall, the velocity of the wind, and topography the degree of soil degradation is different from location to location.
• One of the major causes of soil erosion is deforestation.
• Soil erosion is prevented when the locks of the roots of the plants bind to the soil.
• Plants and trees by shedding twigs and leaves add humus to the soil.
• The powerful agents of soil erosion are water and wind, as they can remove soil as well as transport it.
• In semi-arid and arid regions, soil erosion due to wind is very significant.
• Erosion by running water is more significant in regions with steep slopes and heavy rainfall.