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Soil Degradation

Soil Degradation . Unit 5: Biosphere Ms. Thind. Let’s Recap. Soil forms by: - decaying vegetation  humus - leaching  water soluble minerals move through the soil - capillary action  water pulled from deep in the soil

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Soil Degradation

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  1. Soil Degradation Unit 5: Biosphere Ms. Thind

  2. Let’s Recap • Soil forms by: - decaying vegetation  humus - leaching  water soluble minerals move through the soil - capillary action  water pulled from deep in the soil - translocation  movement of solid material in top layers of soil

  3. Let’s Recap • Soils of Grasslands? - Chernozem soil • Soils of Coniferous Forests? - Podzol soil • Soils of the desert? - Sierozem soil • Soils of the Tropical Rainforests? - Laterite soil

  4. Soil Degradation What? occurs when human activity deteriorates the soil and it loses its quality and productivity. How? Humus layer is removed  composition of soil is altered  loose powdery soil susceptible to wind and water erosion. Results? Flooding, drought, dust/sand storms, infertile land for farming

  5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIYYOaNqDuk

  6. Who is responsible? Humans! Why/how you ask?

  7. Over-cultivation • Plants are harvested  no nutrients are returned to the soil  depleted humus layer  soil = sand  subject to erosion by wind and water.

  8. Overgrazing • Grasslands in arid regions where livestock graze • Animals quickly exhaust the land leaving it bare  subject to wind and water erosion

  9. Poor irrigation practices • Excessive watering in dry regions  ↑ in salt content in soil  ↓ in crops

  10. Deforestation • Removal of vegetation  soil left unprotected  left with soil where new vegetation does not grow

  11. Desertification • Most severe form of soil degradation • Rise in human population  ↑ demand for food • Over cultivation, over grazing, deforestation, climate change  displacement of people

  12. How can we combat the rate of erosion? • Build shelter belts and terraces, change farming practices

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