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All 10 Flashcards — Soil degradation
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Question
Define soil degradation.
Answer
Soil degradation is the decline in soil quality due to processes such as erosion, nutrient depletion, compaction, salinization, or contamination.
💡 Hint
Decline in quality.
Question
Which is generally faster: soil formation or soil loss from erosion?
Answer
Soil loss from erosion is usually faster than soil formation.
💡 Hint
Forms slowly.
Question
Name four types of soil degradation.
Answer
Erosion, salinization, compaction, nutrient depletion (also contamination and desertification).
💡 Hint
List processes.
Question
Name two impacts of soil degradation on society.
Answer
Lower crop yields and reduced food security (also higher costs and greater vulnerability to drought).
💡 Hint
Food supply.
Question
How can irrigation lead to salinization?
Answer
In arid areas, irrigation water evaporates and leaves dissolved salts behind, which accumulate and can become toxic to plants.
💡 Hint
Evaporation leaves salt.
Question
Name two impacts of soil degradation on the environment.
Answer
Increased sedimentation/water pollution and biodiversity loss (also reduced carbon storage).
💡 Hint
Water + ecosystems.
Question
Give two common human causes of soil degradation.
Answer
Deforestation and intensive agriculture (also overgrazing, irrigation, urbanization).
💡 Hint
Human land use.
Question
Give two human activities that increase soil erosion.
Answer
Deforestation (removes roots that bind soil) and overgrazing (removes vegetation cover), increasing runoff and wind erosion.
💡 Hint
Loss of vegetation cover.
Question
Why is soil degradation a major sustainability issue?
Answer
Soil forms very slowly but can be lost quickly; degradation reduces food security, harms water quality, reduces biodiversity, and lowers carbon storage.
💡 Hint
Slow to form, fast to lose.
Question
Why is prevention usually better than restoration for soil?
Answer
Because soil takes centuries to form and restoration is slow and uncertain compared with preventing erosion and fertility loss.
💡 Hint
Time factor.
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Full study notes for Soil degradation
Topic 5.1 hub
Soil systems
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