Overview: Processes of LCC

Question 1

Processes of LCC

Answer 1

1. Deforestation
2. Expansion and intensification of agriculture
3. Rangeland modification
4. Soil and land degradation
5. Irrigation
6. Land drainage
7. Land reclamation
8. Growth of industry and mining

Question 2

1. Deforestation

Answer 2

The long term reduction of tree canopy in an area that is then converted to non-forest use

Total Loss: 1.8 billion hectares
Rate of loss: 13 million hectares a year

Question 3

Statistics of Deforestation

Answer 3

• Releases 1.5 billion tonnes of carbon each year

- Responsible for 6-17% of global greenhouse gas emissions

Question 4

Reasons for Deforestation

Answer 4

• Population growth
• international demand for timber
• urbanisation/infrastructure expansion
• agricultural expansion
• mining

Question 5

Processes of Deforestation

Answer 5

Controlled fires, clear cutting and logging

Question 6

Impacts of Deforestation

Answer 6

• Loss of biodiversity/habitat
• Increased greenhouse gases: (loss of carbon sink: replaced with crops that have low carbon storage abilities)
• Change to hydrological cycle (runoff, evapotranspiration, flood vulnerability)
• Soil degradation (erosion, salinity, compaction, infiltration)

Question 7

2. Expansion and Intensification of Agriculture

Answer 7

Expansion: the growth of land use for agriculture

Intensification: increasing inputs of agricultural resources to raise the productivity of a fixed land area

Question 8

Causes of Expansion and Intensification of Agriculture

Answer 8

• Population growth
• Land prices
• Soil degradation

Question 9

Impacts of Expansion and Intensification of Agriculture

Answer 9

• pollution (fertilisers/pesticides)
• eutrophication
• removal of natural vegetation
• creation of monoculture
• soil degradation (compaction, salinity)

Question 10

3. Rangeland Modification

Answer 10

Rangelands: open areas of country primarily used for grazing or hunting of livestock or wild animals

A reduction in flora and fauna composition and continuous reduction in productivity of an area

Question 11

Causes of Rangeland Modification

Answer 11

• overgrazing by livestock
• recurrent drought/climate change
• plowing
• invasive species
• soil degradation (salinity, erosion)

Question 12

Impacts of Rangeland Modification

Answer 12

• Soil degradation
• Trampling of vegetation
• Decreased water infiltration
• Alteration of composition of flora and fauna
• introduced pests

Question 13

4. Soil and Land Degradation

Answer 13

Decline in soil quality and land productivity caused by its improper use

Question 14

Causes of Soil and Land Degradation

Answer 14

• Overgrazing
• Agricultural activity
• Deforestation
• Overexploitation of land
• Industrialisation

Question 15

Impacts of Soil and Land Degradation

Answer 15

• soil compaction, salinity and erosion
• poor water drainage
• removal of soil surface protection
• increased runoff
• rise in water table

Question 16

5. Irrigation

Answer 16

The artificial application of water to the land or soil

Question 17

Impacts of Irrigation

Answer 17

• Rise in water table, causing salinity
• water draining causes salt pollution in rivers
• alters temp and moisture of areas
• dams divert water
• Increased incidences or water-borne diseases

Question 18

6. Land Drainage

Answer 18

The removal of excess surface and groundwater to enhance crop growth

Question 19

7. Land Reclamation

Answer 19

The process of creating new land from ocean, riverbeds or lake-beds

Question 20

Impact of Land Reclamation

Answer 20

• disrupt aquatic ecosystems
• fishing communities
• displaces native fauna
• collapsing of sand used
• disrupts natural processes due to changing terrain

Question 21

Causes of Growth of Industry and Mining

Answer 21

• major driver of economic growth

- growing population= growing demand

Question 22

Impacts of Growth of Industry and Mining

Answer 22

• erosion, sedimentation, landslides

- land degradation due to earth moving equipment