Question

What are the reasons for land degradation describe briefly any four measures to conserve land from degradation?

Answer 1

Land degradation is a process in which the value of the biophysical environment is affected by a combination of human-induced processes acting upon the land. It is viewed as any change or disturbance to the land perceived to be deleterious or undesirable.


Land degradation is caused by multiple forces, including extreme weather conditions particularly drought, and human activities that pollute or degrade the quality of soils and land utility negatively affecting food production, livelihoods, and the production and provision of other ecosystem goods and services.


Deforestation is taking place at a faster rate due to increasing demands of timber, fuel and forest products which results into degradation of land resources.

Overgrazing refers to excessive eating of grasses and other green plants by cattle. It results into reduced growth of vegetation, reduced diversity of plant species, excessive growth of unwanted plant species, soil erosion, and degradation of land due to cattle movement.



Following are some practises for controlling land degradation:
1. Strip farming:
It is & practice in which cultivated crops are sown in alternative strips to prevent water movement.
2. Crop Rotation:
It is one of the agricultural practice in which different crops are grown in same area following a rotation system which helps in replenishment of the soil.
3. Ridge and Furrow Formation:
Soil erosion is one of the factors responsible for lad degradation. It can be prevented by formation of ridge and furrow during irrigation which lessens run off.
4. Construction of Dams:
This usually checks or reduces the velocity of run off so that soil support vegetation.
5. Contour Farming:
This type of farming is usually practiced across the hill side and is useful in collecting and diverting the run off to avoid erosion.

Answer 2

Answer:

Land degradation exists the significant consequence of direct interference of human actions in the natural phenomenon.

Explanation:

Land degradation suggests:

1. Loss of natural fertility of soil because of the defeat of nutrients.

2. Minor vegetation cover.

Measures to conserve land from degradation are,

• Afforestation: Afforestation exists by growing more new plants and trees and controlling the destruction of already existing forests.
• Management of Overgrazing: As we know overgrazing induces soil erosion. It’s during the dry period animals are driven out of fodder and start grazing on grass. They almost clear the grass with its roots and the ground is nearly torn out.
• Construction of Dams: Much soil erosion occurs due to river floods. This can be prevented by building dams across the river. With this method, we can check the speed of water and prevent soil corrosion.
• Planting of shelters of plants or windbreaks: In coastal areas trees are planted to check the breeze movement. One or two rows of trees or shrubs are planted to control soil erosion by wind. This is a way of saving soil from the wind.
• Proper management of waste lands: Wastelands exist the lands that were destroyed due to fires, overgrazing, or deforestation. Now expanding the forest also that is Reforestation would be the best way of utilizing the wasteland.
• Control over mining activities: By utilizing cleaner production methods mining activities can be controlled. Mining methods shouldn’t have a great effect on the land.

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