5.3 soil degradation and conservation

overgrazing

when too many animals graze in the same area

overcropping

depletes soil nutrients and makes the soil friable (dry and susceptible to wind erosion)

deforestation

the removal of forest

unsustainable agricultural techniques

techniques that cannot be applied over a long period of time without decrease in productivity or increased inputs of chemicals like fertilizers or energy

terracing

a method to reduce steepness of slopes by replacing the slope with a series of horizontal terraces, separated by walls

plowing

breaks up soil structure and temporarily increases drainage

contour farming

plowing and cultivating along the contour lines, perpendicular to the slope