Cause of land Degradation (2.5)

Question 1

What is soil erosion?

Answer 1

Soil erosion is the removal of topsoil faster than the soil-forming processes can replace it.

Question 2

Why is soil important?

Answer 2

Soil is important because it supports plant growth and produces food full of nutrients. Soil is the home to many insects that are crucial to the success of our food chain.

Question 3

Where does the soil that is eroded away end up? Describe how it got there.

Answer 3

Soil that is eroded can be washed up by rain or travel by wind to other areas, leaving infertile lower soil layers (unproductive).

Question 4

What is desertification? Identify the three main human activities that can cause desertification.

Answer 4

Desertification is the transformation of fertile land into dry, desert-like areas. Human activities such as deforestation, overgrazing and poorly managed agriculture can cause it.

Question 5

What is salinity?

Answer 5

Salinity refers to a high level of salt in the soil, which kills plants.

Question 6

Compare and Contrast dryland salinity and irrigated salinity.

Answer 6

1. Dryland Salinity

Salt in the underground water is forced to rise when we remove trees with deep root systems that keep the water table low in the ground.

2. Irrigated Salinity

When extra water from irrigation enters the ground it also forces the water table to rise.