Question

How have human activities caused desertification? Explain.

Answer 1

Following human activities contribute to desertification:

i. Deforestation: Humans cut down trees to serve their own purposes like construction of roads and houses, etc which is the main cause of desertification.

ii. Improper farming practices: If same crop is grown continuously makes the soil deficient of nutrients resulting in the loss of fertility of soil.

iii. Excessive ploughing of field.

iv. Soil erosion: Soil erosion by different human activities like deforestation due to construction of houses and industrialization.

v. Mining activities and leaching of minerals further destroys soil quality and renders it totally infertile.