Changing Landscapes

Land Degradation

Decline in land quality and food production capacity.

Overgrazing

Excessive grazing leading to vegetation loss, 35% cause.

Deforestation

Clearing forests, contributing 30% to land degradation.

Land Clearing

Removing vegetation for agriculture or development.

Collection of Wood

Gathering firewood, accounting for 6% of degradation.

Industrialisation

Development of industries, causing 1% land degradation.

Mining

Extraction of minerals, damaging surrounding environments.

FAO Estimate

60 years left for crop production without change.

Farmland Loss

12 million hectares lost yearly, 6 million needed.

Soil Erosion

Removal of topsoil faster than it can regenerate.

Desertification

Fertile land turns into desert-like areas.

Salinity

High salt levels in soil, detrimental to plants.

Natural Vegetation

Plants that protect soil from erosion.

Dryland Salinity

Salt rises due to removal of deep-rooted trees.

Irrigated Salinity

Salt rises from irrigation water entering soil.

Soil Layers

Different strata of soil, affecting fertility.

Crop Growing

Agricultural practice, contributing 28% to degradation.

Arable Land

Land suitable for growing crops.

Environmental Damage

Harm caused to ecosystems from human activities.

Wind Erosion

Soil blown away by wind, exacerbating degradation.

Rain Erosion

Soil washed away by rainfall, leading to infertility.