LAND DEGREDATION

INTRODUCTIONThe change in the characteristic and quality of soil which adversely affect its fertility is called

as Degradation.

Land degradation is the most important environmental problem currently challenging sustainable development in many parts of the world. The problem is most acute where the environment is intrinsically vulnerable and where the population is losing control of its

own resources.

Land degradation means:

1) Loss of natural fertility of soil because of loss of nutrients.

2) Less vegetation cover3) Changes in the characteristic of soil.4) Pollution of water resources from the

contamination of soil through which water sweeps into ground or runoff to

the water bodies.5) Changes in climatic conditions because of

unbalance created in the environment.

Causes of land degradation

DeforestationSoil erosion by wind or water

MiningIndustrialization

Unsustainable agricultural practices

Urban expansion

DeforestationOvercutting

of vegetation occurs when people cut

forests, woodlands and shrub lands to obtain timber, fuel wood and

other products at a pace exceeding

the rate of natural regrowth.

Soil erosion by wind or water Erosion is the term given to soil loss due to

the mobilization of topsoil by the forces of water and wind. Wind and water move the eroded particles to

some other location, where it is deposited as sediment. Soil erosion is a natural process that

removes soil from the land.

Industrialization

Development of industries for the economic growth of the country leads to excessive deforestation and utilization of land in such as way that it has lost its natural

upgradation quality.

Urban expansion Urban growth, road construction, mining

and industry are major factors in land degradation in different regions. Valuable

agricultural land is often lost.

Unsustainable agricultural practices Increased mechanisation of agriculture has

led to increased yields and faster production. Various methods, techniques and equipment are now used in agriculture at different scales which

are destructive to the soil and water resources, and gradually decrease the productivity of the land.

1) Overgrazing of pasture land 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.

2) Over cultivation of cropland and mono cropping

Over cultivation and mono cropping are usually associated with high levels of

mechanisation which can compact the soil, leaving the land bare between harvest and

planting, both of which increase the potential for erosion, and continuous loss of nutrients

with application of large quantities of fertilisers

3) Waterlogging and salinization of irrigated land.

4) Over extraction of wells, rivers and dams .

5) Excessive and continuous use of fertiliser, herbicide and pesticide .

EFFECTS OR IMPACTS INCLUDE: 1. Decline in the chemical, physical

and/or biological properties of soil.2. Reduced availability of potable water. 3. Lessened volumes of surface water.4. Impacts on livestock and agriculture

e.g. loss of animals due to dehydration, reduced yields. 5. Decline in productivity.

6. Water and food insecurity.7. Biodiversity loss.

CONSERVATION MEASURES1. Strip farming:

It is a 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 land degradation. It can be prevented by formation of ridge and furrow

during irrigation which lessens run off.

4. Construction of bunds: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.

Sustainable Land Management

The term SLM can be used to describe the utilisation of terrestrial

resources (soils, plants, water, etc.) for the production of goods to satisfy changing human needs, without detriment to the long-term productive potential of these

resources and their environmental functions.

ConclusionLand degradation occurs because of land poor management practices. In order to

assess sustainable land management practices, the climate resources and the risk of climate-related natural disaster

need to be documented. The use of climate information must be applied in

developing sustainable practices. There is need to apply sustainable land

management practices in field for conservation of land.