What is the cause of soil degradation?

Ans.

Soil degradation is the deterioration of soil quality and fertility due to various human and natural activities. There are several major causes of soil degradation:

Erosion: Soil erosion occurs when the top layer of soil is removed by wind, water, or other agents. This can happen due to poor land management practices, such as deforestation, overgrazing, and improper agricultural practices. Erosion reduces the soil's ability to retain water and nutrients, leading to decreased fertility.

Deforestation: Removing vegetation cover, especially trees, can lead to increased soil degradation. Trees play a crucial role in stabilizing soil through their root systems and by reducing the impact of raindrops on the soil surface. Deforestation can result in increased erosion, loss of organic matter, and reduced soil fertility.

Overgrazing: When animals graze on land beyond its carrying capacity, it can lead to the removal of vegetation cover and soil compaction. This makes the soil more susceptible to erosion and reduces its ability to support plant growth.

Improper Agricultural Practices: Unsustainable farming methods such as monocropping, excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and improper irrigation can degrade soil quality. Monocropping, in particular, can deplete specific nutrients from the soil, making it less fertile over time.

Soil Compaction: Heavy machinery, urban development, and intensive agricultural practices can lead to soil compaction, where the soil particles are pressed together tightly. This reduces pore spaces in the soil, limiting water infiltration and root growth.

Salinization: Over-irrigation in arid regions can cause the buildup of salts in the soil, a process known as salinization. Excess salts can be toxic to plants and reduce soil fertility.

Chemical Pollution: The excessive use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and industrial pollutants can contaminate the soil and affect its fertility and overall health.

Climate Change: Altered precipitation patterns, increased temperatures, and extreme weather events associated with climate change can exacerbate soil degradation processes. For instance, more intense rainfall events can increase erosion, while prolonged droughts can lead to desertification.

Urbanization: Urban development often involves covering the soil with impervious surfaces like concrete and asphalt. This prevents water from infiltrating into the soil, disrupting natural drainage patterns and reducing the soil's ability to support vegetation.

Mining Activities: Mining operations can lead to the removal of soil cover, altering the landscape and potentially contaminating the soil with heavy metals and pollutants.

Combating soil degradation requires sustainable land management practices that focus on conserving soil resources, maintaining vegetation cover, reducing erosion, and using agricultural techniques that enhance rather than deplete soil fertility.

   23-Aug-2023 |   Answer by: Somnath Iyer