UNIT 2: Land Degradation Flashcards
the earth’s terrestrial surface, encompassing all attributes of the biosphere
LAND
destruction of the Earth’s surface and soil, directly or indirectly because of human activities
LAND DEGRADATION
Causes of Land degradation
- deforestation
- desertification
- mining
- soil salinization
- urban sprawl
___________is the massive removal of a forest or the clearing of vast forest areas either for lumber source, conversion to agricultural lands, or for urbanization.
Deforestation
It is the biggest threat to all forests nationwide.
Deforestation
IUCN (acronym)
International Union for Conservation of Nature
Causes of Deforestation
- Agriculture
- Urbanization
- Timber Extraction
- Anthropogenic Climate Change
- Social and Political
Effects of Deforestation
- Anthropogenic Climate Change
- Soil Erosion and Flooding
- Reduced Air Humidity
- Loss of Habitat and Biodiversity
Dealing with Deforestation
- Reforestation and Afforestation
- Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR)
- The Power of the Marketplace
- Changing the Politics
- Standing with Indigenous Peoples
Causes of Desertification
- Overgrazing
- Anthropogenic Climate Change
- Deforestation
- Unsustainable Farming Methods
- Overuse of Groundwater
_______ is another form of land degradation that occurs in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas. It does NOT mean literally converting a land to a desert, but rather refers to the conversion of a productive land to an unproductive barren land.
Desertification
Effects of Desertification
- Decrease in Crop Yield
- Loss of Habitat and Biodiversity
- Migration and Overpopulation
Dealing with Desertification
- Rotational Grazing
- Better Farming Methods
- Reforestation
- Sustainable use of Ground Water
- Decrease Greenhouse Gas emissions
Other Types of Land Degradation
- Soil Salinization & Waterlogging
- Mining
- Urban Sprawl
various dissolved salts picked up as water flows over or through rock and soil
Soil salinization
washes the salts out of the topsoil by pumping more water.
Water logging
This is the process of extracting precious minerals and other geological materials from the earth.
Mining
__________ involves stripping the land of its vegetation and soil, resulting to severe erosion.
Surface mining
________ involves the digging of shafts and tunnels, often with the aid of explosives. This could trigger the formation of sinkholes.
Underground mining
This refers to the rapid expansion of a city into the countryside around the city.
Urban Sprawl
Urban sprawl leads to loss and _________________ due to the building of new settlements and infrastructure projects.
fragmentation of habitat
