Soil degradation

Question 1

Define soil degradation

Answer 1

The chemical, physical and biological decline in soil fertility where food production experiences a decline.

Question 2

What human activities cause soil degradation

Answer 2

• Deforestation
• Increase the density of farm animals
• Poor irrigation practices
• Over farming where growing too many crops that the natural nutrients of the soil are removed and no replaced

Question 3

Effects of soil degradation

Answer 3

Soil is broken down and washed away as there are no roots of plants to bind soil together
Deforestation as it allows fragile soils (particularly on sloping land) to be attacked by heavy rain.
Nutrients in the soil (such as nitrogen and potassium) are depleted
Soil is barren
Soil is unable to support plant life

Question 4

Define soil salinity

Answer 4

Salinity is a condition where the amount of salt causes problems in the soil and impacts the environment. (Increased solidity of the land)

Question 5

Explain the two types of soil salinity

Answer 5

Primary salinity:
A natural condition that develops in the landscape overtime
Secondary salinity:
Caused by human impact

Question 6

Effects of soil salinity

Answer 6

Decrease in agriculture
Increases deforestation as land must be cleared to restart the process

Question 7

Describe the soil salinity diagram