5.3_soil_degradation_and_conservation

Soil degradation

The decline in soil quality caused by improper management such as erosion, nutrient depletion, and pollution.

Soil erosion

The removal of the top layer of soil due to water, wind, or human activities.

Overgrazing

A practice where livestock consumes more grass than the ecosystem can replenish, leading to soil degradation.

Overcropping

Planting more crops than can be sustained by the soil, depleting essential nutrients.

Deforestation

The clearing of trees, often leading to increased soil erosion and loss of soil fertility.

Urbanization

The process of making an area more urban, which often converts agricultural land to cities, contributing to soil degradation.

Salinization

The process of increasing salt concentration in soil, often due to improper irrigation practices.

Monoculture

The agricultural practice of growing a single crop year after year, which can deplete soil nutrients.

Contour farming

An agricultural practice that involves plowing and planting across the slope of the land to minimize soil erosion.

Sheet wash

A type of soil erosion where thin sheets of water flow over a broad area, washing away the soil.

Gullying

A severe form of water erosion that creates deep channels in the landscape.

Soil conditioners

Materials added to soil to improve its physical properties and nutrient content.

Cover crops

Crops that are planted to cover soil rather than for the purpose of being harvested, used to prevent erosion.

Terracing

An agricultural practice of creating flat steps on a slope to grow crops, which helps reduce water erosion.

Crop rotation

The practice of alternating different crops in the same area across a sequence of seasons to improve soil health.