Explain desertification and soil salinity resulting from the improper use of resources.

(N/A) Degradation of natural resources occurs not only by pollutants but also by their improper use.
$(i)$ Soil erosion and desertification: The formation of fertile topsoil takes centuries. However,human activities such as over-cultivation,unrestricted grazing,deforestation,and poor irrigation practices can easily remove these fertile layers.
This leads to the fragmentation of land. When these barren patches expand and merge over time,they result in the formation of deserts. Desertification is considered a major consequence of urbanization and unsustainable land management.
$(ii)$ Waterlogging and soil salinity: Inadequate drainage during irrigation leads to waterlogging. This causes the soil to become saturated with water.
During this process,the water draws dissolved salts to the surface of the soil. These salts accumulate as a thin crust on the land surface or start collecting around the roots of the plants.
This increased salinity is detrimental to plant growth and is highly damaging to agriculture.