Causes And Impacts of Soil Erosion (Copy)
3.6 Causes and Impacts of Soil Erosion – Cheat Sheet
Causes of Soil Erosion
| Cause | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Over-cultivation | Continuous cropping removes nutrients, weakens soil structure | Intensive farming in India |
| Overgrazing | Livestock eat vegetation → bare soil exposed to wind & rain | Sahel region, Africa |
| Removal of Natural Vegetation | Deforestation leaves soil unprotected from rain & wind | Amazon rainforest clearance |
| Water Erosion | Heavy rainfall washes topsoil away | Monsoon erosion in South Asia |
| Wind Erosion | Strong winds blow away loose, dry soil | Dust Bowl, USA (1930s) |
Impacts of Soil Erosion
| Impact | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Loss of Habitats | Wildlife displaced as vegetation & soil quality decline | Grasslands turning barren in Africa |
| Desertification | Productive land turns into desert → permanent degradation | Sahara Desert expanding southwards |
| Silting of Rivers | Eroded soil deposited in rivers → reduces capacity, increases flood risk | Yangtze River, China |
| Displacement of People | Farming communities forced to migrate when land becomes infertile | Sahel drought migration |
| Malnutrition & Famine | Lower crop yields → food shortages & poverty | Ethiopia famine (1980s) |
Quick Pointers
- Topsoil = most fertile layer; once lost, recovery is very slow.
- Soil erosion links to poverty cycle: poor land → low yield → overuse → further erosion.
- Prevention requires sustainable farming (crop rotation, contour ploughing, afforestation).
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE Environmental Management Full Scale Course