Overgrazing, over Cultivation, and Deforestation
Individual Work Week 5
Suzanne Kamm
EVS-1001
Everest University Online
Individual Work Week 5 Soil erosion has become a serious problem for many ecosystems. Erosion occurs when the soil and hummus particles are removed from their location by wind and water (Wright & Boorse, 2014). This process causes the soil to erode and become ‘barren” and exposed to the elements (Wright & Boorse, 2014, p. 276). There are three major contributing factors to soil erosion: overgrazing, over cultivation, and deforestation. The purpose of this paper is to describe each of these contributors and discuss ways to correct them. The first process is overgrazing. This occurs when there are more animals that graze the same portion of land, even though the land cannot handle it long term (Wright & Boorse, 2014). Overgrazing is also the result of rotating herds too quickly. Meaning, the forage is not given enough time to fully develop and grow before the livestock grazes on it again (Rayburn, 2000). The overgrazing can affect native species by forcing them to compete for forage and in some cases cause a species to become extinct (Rayburn, 2000). Grassland sustainability depends on proper grass, animal, and livestock maintenance (Rayburn, 2000). So how can we improve overgrazing? One way we can reduce this process is by matching the forage to the livestock’s requirements (Rayburn, 2000). This can ensure the livestock does not destroy areas to the point where the soil becomes barren. Another way, to help prevent over cultivation is to plant several different types of forage that have alternating growth rates (Rayburn, 2000). For example, farmers can plant warm-season grasses in the summer and cool-season grasses in the winter. This will allow livestock to graze on forages for shorter periods of time and will provide enough time for the regrowth and development of these forages during their off seasons (Rayburn, 2000). Implementing these suggestions can provide proper
Suzanne Kamm
EVS-1001
Everest University Online
Individual Work Week 5 Soil erosion has become a serious problem for many ecosystems. Erosion occurs when the soil and hummus particles are removed from their location by wind and water (Wright & Boorse, 2014). This process causes the soil to erode and become ‘barren” and exposed to the elements (Wright & Boorse, 2014, p. 276). There are three major contributing factors to soil erosion: overgrazing, over cultivation, and deforestation. The purpose of this paper is to describe each of these contributors and discuss ways to correct them. The first process is overgrazing. This occurs when there are more animals that graze the same portion of land, even though the land cannot handle it long term (Wright & Boorse, 2014). Overgrazing is also the result of rotating herds too quickly. Meaning, the forage is not given enough time to fully develop and grow before the livestock grazes on it again (Rayburn, 2000). The overgrazing can affect native species by forcing them to compete for forage and in some cases cause a species to become extinct (Rayburn, 2000). Grassland sustainability depends on proper grass, animal, and livestock maintenance (Rayburn, 2000). So how can we improve overgrazing? One way we can reduce this process is by matching the forage to the livestock’s requirements (Rayburn, 2000). This can ensure the livestock does not destroy areas to the point where the soil becomes barren. Another way, to help prevent over cultivation is to plant several different types of forage that have alternating growth rates (Rayburn, 2000). For example, farmers can plant warm-season grasses in the summer and cool-season grasses in the winter. This will allow livestock to graze on forages for shorter periods of time and will provide enough time for the regrowth and development of these forages during their off seasons (Rayburn, 2000). Implementing these suggestions can provide proper
References: Mandarich, T. (2008, February). Tropical rainforests- 4 ways to stop deforestation. Retrieved from EZine Magazines: http://www.ezinearticles.com/?Tropical-Rainforests---4-ways-to-stop-deforestation&id=1491669 Rayburn, E. (2000, November). Overgrazing can hurt the environment, your pocket. Retrieved from West Virginia University.edu: http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/forglvst/overgraz.htm Wright, R., & Boorse, D. (2011). Environmental science: Toward a sustainable future (11 ed.). Pearson Education, Inc. Retrieved from http://vizedhtmlcontent.next.ecollege.com/CurrentCourse/Ch11SoilsandPlantsEVS1001%202010-1222.pdf Wright, R., & Boorse, D. (2014). Environmental science: Toward a sustainable future (12th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Pearson Education, Inc.