Causes of Land Degradation| Class 12 Geography Notes
Causes of Land Degradation is a subpart of the Class 12 Geography chapter 9 which is Perspective on Selected Issues and Problems. It talks about Land Degradation and the related Causes of it. Land degradation is a reduction process that reduces the production capacity of a certain part of the land by different interrelated processes. In the present condition, deforestation is a major reason for the process of land degradation that naturally holds the soil particles together to maintain the quality.
In this article, we are going to discuss the Class 12 Geography Notes Chapter 9: Causes of Land Degradation in detail.
What is Land Degradation?
Land Degradation is a process that happens when different natural and human activities like deforestation, erosion, loss of biodiversity, pollution, and salination change the structure of a landform and soil by affecting the biophysical and biochemical environment. The biophysical and biochemical environment may include the capacity of the production of soil, reduction in the biological elements of the soil, and reduction in the economic value of it.
Causes of Land Degradation
Land Degradation may be caused due to different factors. These causes can be classified as natural and human-made factors that include the different types of soil erosion, waterlogging processes, alkalinization, and much more. In the 20th to 22nd century, the rate of land degradation became high which had many major consequences like decreased food security, rising food prices, changes in the climate, biodiversity loss, and different environmental hazards. Land degradation is the major contributor to the change of the climate as the process releases greenhouse gasses like carbon and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere.
Here are some major causes of the Land Degradation as mentioned below:
Soil Erosion
The process of soil erosion is the major cause of land degradation. It is a natural process that removes the top layer of the soil with the help of water, wind, or different natural elements. This process makes the previous land and its structure unstable. Because of soil erosion, the agricultural lands became unsuitable for plant growth also majorly affects the aquatic life.
Deforestation
Deforestation is a major cause that contributes to the process of land degradation. Deforestation is a condition where humans cut down trees in a way or faster than the reforestation happens. So many human activities may encourage the process of deforestation like food search, collection of forest resources for commercial purposes, mining, and construction.
Overgrazing
Overgrazing is a process of heavy grazing that can happen for several years. It reduces the vegetation cover on the land and enables the process of erosion. The process reduces the ability of the plants to grow and it harms the microbes that are present in the soil.
Salinization
Salinization is a process of the degradation of the land that occurs when the soil of a certain place contains a high concentration of natural soluble salts. This problem is majorly caused by the different improper practices in agriculture like low water use efficiency and infiltration.
Soil Pollution and Poor Agricultural Practices
Soil pollution is a human-made condition that affects the natural environment of the soil. It can happen due to different industrial activities like excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers. These acts harm the health of the soil with human health, plant growth, and their life cycles.
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Chapter 9 Causes of Land Degradation- FAQs
What are the five main causes of land degradation?
Soil pollution, soil erosion, overgrazing, extraction of minerals at a repeated stage and drought are some of the important causes of land degradation.
What are the 5 effects of land degradation?
Its impacts can be far-reaching, including loss of soil fertility, destruction of species habitat and biodiversity, soil erosion, and excessive nutrient runoff into lakes. Land degradation also has serious knock-on effects for humans, such as malnutrition, disease, forced migration, cultural damage, and even war.
What is the biggest cause of land degradation?
Soil erosion induced by water is the major cause of land degradation in the world. It reduces production potential, access to nutritious food, biodiversity, and environmental services.
What is land degradation cause and impact?
Loss and depletion of fertile topsoil due to physical impacts (floods, surface runoff, landslides, winds and storms, intensive tillage, heavy machinery use). Long-term physical degradation harms soil fertility, composition, and structure. Land degradation occurs naturally but is exacerbated by human activities.
What is the main cause of land degradation in Punjab?
In Punjab the major cause of land degradation is over-irrigation. Over-irrigation leads to waterlogging which in turn leads to an increase in alkalinity and salinity in the soil. Western Uttar Pradesh and Haryana also face land degradation due to over-irrigation.
Who is affected by land degradation?
This inevitably disproportionately harms those who are least able to do anything about it: rural communities, smallholder farmers and the extremely poor. As of today, almost a quarter of the world’s total land area has been degraded.