Overview: Processes of LCC Flashcards
Processes of LCC
- Deforestation
- Expansion and intensification of agriculture
- Rangeland modification
- Soil and land degradation
- Irrigation
- Land drainage
- Land reclamation
- Growth of industry and mining
- Deforestation
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
Statistics of Deforestation
- Releases 1.5 billion tonnes of carbon each year
- Responsible for 6-17% of global greenhouse gas emissions
Reasons for Deforestation
- Population growth
- international demand for timber
- urbanisation/infrastructure expansion
- agricultural expansion
- mining
Processes of Deforestation
Controlled fires, clear cutting and logging
Impacts of Deforestation
- 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)
- Expansion and Intensification of Agriculture
Expansion: the growth of land use for agriculture
Intensification: increasing inputs of agricultural resources to raise the productivity of a fixed land area
Causes of Expansion and Intensification of Agriculture
- Population growth
- Land prices
- Soil degradation
Impacts of Expansion and Intensification of Agriculture
- pollution (fertilisers/pesticides)
- eutrophication
- removal of natural vegetation
- creation of monoculture
- soil degradation (compaction, salinity)
- Rangeland Modification
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
Causes of Rangeland Modification
- overgrazing by livestock
- recurrent drought/climate change
- plowing
- invasive species
- soil degradation (salinity, erosion)
Impacts of Rangeland Modification
- Soil degradation
- Trampling of vegetation
- Decreased water infiltration
- Alteration of composition of flora and fauna
- introduced pests
- Soil and Land Degradation
Decline in soil quality and land productivity caused by its improper use
Causes of Soil and Land Degradation
- Overgrazing
- Agricultural activity
- Deforestation
- Overexploitation of land
- Industrialisation
Impacts of Soil and Land Degradation
- soil compaction, salinity and erosion
- poor water drainage
- removal of soil surface protection
- increased runoff
- rise in water table
