Land Degradation
Land degradation
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Serious land degradation in Nauru after the depletion of the phosphate cover through mining
Land degradation is a concept in which the value of the biophysical environment is affected by one or more combination of human-induced processes acting upon the land.[1] It is viewed as any change or disturbance to the land perceived to be deleterious or undesirable.[2] Natural hazards are excluded as a cause, however human activities can indirectly affect phenomena such as floods and bushfires.
It is estimated that up to 40% of the world 's agricultural land is seriously degraded.[3]
Causes
Overgrazing by livestock can lead to land degradation
Land degradation is a global problem, largely related to agricultural use. The major causes include: • Land clearance, such as clearcutting and deforestation • Agricultural depletion of soil nutrients through poor farming practices • Livestock including overgrazing • Inappropriate Irrigation[4] and overdrafting • Urban sprawl and commercial development • Land pollution including industrial waste • Vehicle off-roading • Quarrying of stone, sand, ore and minerals
Effects
Soil erosion in a wheat field near Pullman, USA.
The main outcome of land degradation is a substantial reduction in the productivity of the land.[5] The major stresses on vulnerable land include: • Accelerated soil erosion by wind and water • Soil acidification and the formation of acid sulfate soil resulting in barren soil • Soil alkalinisation owing to irrigation with water containing sodium bicarbonate leading to poor soil structure and reduced crop yields • Soil salination in irrigated land requiring soil salinity control to reclaim the land [6] • Soil waterlogging in irrigated land which calls for some form of subsurface land drainage to remediate the negative effects [6] • Destruction of soil structure including loss of
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Serious land degradation in Nauru after the depletion of the phosphate cover through mining
Land degradation is a concept in which the value of the biophysical environment is affected by one or more combination of human-induced processes acting upon the land.[1] It is viewed as any change or disturbance to the land perceived to be deleterious or undesirable.[2] Natural hazards are excluded as a cause, however human activities can indirectly affect phenomena such as floods and bushfires.
It is estimated that up to 40% of the world 's agricultural land is seriously degraded.[3]
Causes
Overgrazing by livestock can lead to land degradation
Land degradation is a global problem, largely related to agricultural use. The major causes include: • Land clearance, such as clearcutting and deforestation • Agricultural depletion of soil nutrients through poor farming practices • Livestock including overgrazing • Inappropriate Irrigation[4] and overdrafting • Urban sprawl and commercial development • Land pollution including industrial waste • Vehicle off-roading • Quarrying of stone, sand, ore and minerals
Effects
Soil erosion in a wheat field near Pullman, USA.
The main outcome of land degradation is a substantial reduction in the productivity of the land.[5] The major stresses on vulnerable land include: • Accelerated soil erosion by wind and water • Soil acidification and the formation of acid sulfate soil resulting in barren soil • Soil alkalinisation owing to irrigation with water containing sodium bicarbonate leading to poor soil structure and reduced crop yields • Soil salination in irrigated land requiring soil salinity control to reclaim the land [6] • Soil waterlogging in irrigated land which calls for some form of subsurface land drainage to remediate the negative effects [6] • Destruction of soil structure including loss of