at least 3 causes of Rural Land Degradation
Understand the impact that Wind and Rain has on Land Degradation
Land degradation is when soil reduces infertility and will support fewer vegetation, animals and people.
Arid
A region with a lack of water
Land Degradation
Loss of healthy Soil
Desertification
Land turning to desert
Digital Workbook and Paper Jotter
Take notes on all the different reasons for Rural Land Degradation
Erosion is when the material is broken down and carried or transported away by wind or water
Dried out soil is very loose and falls apart to its individual granules. Any wind can move this bare soil about as it is not being held together or protected by vegetation. In times of heavy winds, this can create sand and dust storms that blow large amounts of soil away from an area.
A small amount of water in the soil will actually do a good job of turning the soil to mud and stopping it from being blown away by the wind.
However, rainfall in the Sahel is infrequent and can be heavy when it does come. Dry hard soil will act like concrete and not allow the water to infiltrate (soak in) quickly. Water then flows over the top of the soil carrying soil particles away with it.
Demand for wood (for houses, furniture and fuel) removes tree roots that hold the soil together and protect it from the elements. Removing trees exposes the soil to the wind and rain.
Too much farming of the same crop
means nutrients are removed and does
not allow the soil to recover. Continually
planting and harvesting crops does not
allow the soil to recover which produces
less food.
Irrigation is the process of storing water and using it in controlled amounts on crops.
This leads to salinisation (increase in salt) of the soil, reducing fertility and either leading to the need for salt/tolerant plants or further degradation occurs.
Too much farming of the same crop means nutrients are removed and does not allow the soil to recover. Continually planting and harvesting crops does not allow the soil to recover which produces less food.
More people need space and food. Making all of the other causes worse as there is more cattle, more crops and more space needed.