Soil degradation
Soil degradation refers to the decline in soil quality and productivity due to various natural and human-induced factors. It results in the loss of soil fertility, structure, and biodiversity, often leading to reduced agricultural productivity and environmental issues.
Causes:
- Erosion: Wind and water erosion remove the topsoil, which is rich in nutrients. This occurs mainly due to deforestation, overgrazing, and improper land management.
- Overgrazing: Overuse of pasture lands by livestock leads to the depletion of vegetation cover, which in turn increases the risk of soil erosion.
- Deforestation: Removing trees and vegetation reduces the protective cover on soil, making it more susceptible to erosion and loss of nutrients.
- Overcultivation: Intensive farming without proper crop rotation or soil-restoration practices depletes soil nutrients and weakens soil structure.
- Salinization: The accumulation of salts in the soil, often caused by improper irrigation practices, reduces soil fertility and affects crop growth.
Soil Conservation techniques
Various strategies can be employed to preserve soil fertility and reduce erosion:
Soil Conditioners
- Organic materials:
- Compost
- Manure
- Green manures (cover crops)
