5.3 Soil Degradation and Conservation

Question 1

Degradation

Answer 1

The decline in the quality and productivity of land due to factors like erosion, deforestation, or poor agricultural practices.

Question 2

Marginal lands

Answer 2

Areas of land that are not suitable for cultivation due to poor soil, lack of water, or extreme weather conditions.

Question 3

Drylands

Answer 3

Regions with arid, semi-arid, or dry sub-humid climates where water scarcity limits the growth of vegetation.

Question 4

Drought

Answer 4

prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to a shortage of water and negative impacts on ecosystems and agriculture.

Question 5

Desertification

Answer 5

The process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically due to drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture.

Question 6

Fuelwood

Answer 6

Wood harvested for use as fuel, often leading to deforestation and land degradation when collected unsustainably.

Question 7

Sahara vs Sahel

Answer 7

The Sahara is a vast desert in North Africa, while the Sahel is the semi-arid region just south of the Sahara, vulnerable to desertification.

Question 8

UNCCD

Answer 8

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification: An international agreement aimed at combating desertification and mitigating the effects of drought through sustainable land management.

Question 9

Desertification management

Answer 9

Approaches include afforestation, sustainable agriculture, water conservation techniques, and creating protective barriers like windbreaks.

Question 10

Great Green Wall

Answer 10

An African-led initiative to combat desertification by planting trees across the Sahel region to restore degraded lands and improve food security.

Question 11

Enrichment

Answer 11

The process of adding nutrients or organic matter to soil to improve fertility and promote plant growth.

Question 12

Sheet erosion

Answer 12

The removal of a thin layer of soil by water runoff over a large area, usually caused by heavy rainfall or poor land management.

Question 13

Levee

Answer 13

An embankment built along a river or body of water to prevent flooding and control water flow.

Question 14

Afforestation

Answer 14

The process of planting trees in an area where there were no previous forests, often used as a strategy to combat desertification.

Question 15

Dryland salinity

Answer 15

The accumulation of salts in the soil in drylands, often caused by rising groundwater bringing salt to the surface, which reduces soil productivity.

Question 16

Capillary rise

Answer 16

The upward movement of water through soil pores due to capillary action, which can lead to salinization if saline water reaches the surface.

Question 17

Management of dryland salinity

Answer 17

Techniques include planting deep-rooted vegetation, improving water management practices, and lowering groundwater levels.

Question 18

How do soils become acidic?

Answer 18

Excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers, organic matter decomposition, or acid rain.

Question 19

How is soil acidity managed?

Answer 19

Adding lime (calcium carbonate) to neutralize the acidity, practicing crop rotation, and using fertilizers that are less acidifying.

Question 20

Windbreaks

Answer 20

Rows of trees or shrubs planted to reduce wind speed, prevent soil erosion, and protect crops from wind damage.

Question 21

Role of plants in maintaining soil surface stability

Answer 21

Plants protect soil from erosion by anchoring it with their roots and reducing the impact of wind and water.

Question 22

Erosion management techniques

Answer 22

Contour plowing, terracing, maintaining vegetation cover, and using sediment control structures to prevent soil erosion.

Question 23

Preventing land degradation in cropping

Answer 23

Practices include crop rotation, conservation tillage, and planting cover crops to protect the soil.

Question 24

Preventing land degradation in grazing

Answer 24

Rotational grazing, maintaining vegetation cover, and preventing overgrazing are key strategies.

Question 25

Soil conditioning (conditioner)

Answer 25

the process of improving the physical properties of soil to enhance its structure, aeration, water retention, and drainage, to create a more favorable environment for plant growth.

Common soil conditioners include:
- Compost
- Manure
- Peat moss
- Gypsum
- Lime