Question

Give an account of any three activities that lead to soil erosion.

Mention two reasons for the loss of top soil.

Answer 1

Human activities that cause soil erosion are:

1. Deforestation: The roots of the trees hold and bind the soil. It also helps the soil in absorbing rain water as the water percolates through the sides of the roots. Thus, when the trees are cut down the soil becomes loose and exposed to erosion by agents like water and wind.
2. Overgrazing: The cattle graze on a piece of land repeatedly, uprooting or eating away even the roots. The grasses have no scope to regenerate, rendering the land to become completely denuded. The soil is thus susceptible to erosion by water and wind.
3. Wrong agricultural practices: These include injudicious use of inputs like water, fertilizers, pesticides etc. which renders the soil unfertile which support no vegetation. Farming on unsuitable terrains and soil compaction by agricultural machineries also make the top soil vulnerable to erosion.