Natural and Human Dimensions of Soil Degradation: Causes and Consequences

1. Madhu Raina
   Department of Botany, Sri Venkateswara College, Dhaula Kuan, University of Delhi, New Delhi-110021, India
2. Romica Verma
   Department of Botany University of Jammu, Jammu-180006, India
3. Bhavana Sharma
   Department of Botany University of Jammu, Jammu-180006, India
   Corresponding author: sharmabhavana572@gmail.com

Abstract

Land degradation, a decline of the entire ecosystem’s ability to provide goods and services is a natural or human-induced process. Reportedly more than 75% of the world’s land is affected. Three major causes; natural, human induced and desertification have been attributed to this menace. Soil degradation is one of the several forms of land degradation that involves loss of soil quality and productivity. Likewise, it can be natural or induced by anthropogenic activities. The former includes inherent characteristics of the soil, topography and calamities like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tornadoes etc and is relatively slow. Compared to it, the latter is more rapid and caused by human interferences such as deforestation, overgrazing, inappropriate agricultural practices, surface mining, urban sprawl etc. Among these, deforestation is either natural or man-driven. Inappropriate agricultural practices include excessive tillage, unbalanced use of inorganic fertilizers, use of heavy machinery and mismanagement in irrigation facilities. Further, some social causes of soil degradation and subsequent deterioration include population explosion, poverty, and economic pressure on land. Together, these impact the soil structure and dynamics. Considerable depletion in soil productivity through soil erosion, nutrient imbalance, soil compaction, and desertification are the major and undesirable changes. The present chapter discusses the causes and consequences of soil degradation and deterioration using evidences from different case studies.

Key words: Soil degradation, anthropogenic activities, earthquake, agricultural practices, nutrient imbalance