Soil Degradation

Sources: p57-61 Course Companion and http://greenfieldgeography.wikispaces.com/Soil+and+change

1. What is soil degradation?
2. Briefly describe the following types of degradation and their relative importance:

TYPE IMPORTANCE (%) DESCRIPTION

WIND AND
WATER


BIOLOGICAL



PHYSICAL



CHEMICAL



The Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) predicts the long term average annual rate of erosion
on a field slope based on rainfall pattern, soil type, topography, crop system and management
practices.
Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE)
A =R x K x LS x C x P

3. Describe what the different elements of the USLE are looking at:


Erosivity of soil



Erodibility



Length-slope factor



Crop management



Soil conservation



4. Using the map below, describe the areas of the world that have the most degraded soil.



5. List as many human and physical causes of soil degradation as you can think of.

HUMAN CAUSES PHYSICAL CAUSES











6. Soil degradation can often lead to desertification. What is desertification?
7. What problems can desertification and soil degradation cause?
8. The Sahel is one of the worlds most vulnerable areas to desertification. Where is the
Sahel, what countries does it include and why do you think that it is so vulnerable?

Map Showing Area Of The Sahel

9. Deforestation is one of the biggest causes of soil degradation. Describe how the process
of deforestation leads to soil degradation.



Below are some of the possible solutions to soil degradation. Describe what each of them are
and how they could possibly reduce soil degradation:


Crop Rotation:



Terracing and
Contour Ploughing:


Shelter Belts:



Reforestation or
Afforestation:


Fertlisers:



Irrigation:



Grazing Quotas:



Population Control:



Urban Planning: