Degradation by Improper Resource Utilisation and Maintenance Questions in English

(D) "Jhum" cultivation, also known as slash-and-burn agriculture, is a traditional farming practice where a patch of forest land is cleared by cutting and burning the vegetation. The ash acts as fertilizer for the soil, which is then used for growing crops for a few years before being left fallow to recover. This practice is commonly found in the northeastern states of India.

(C) Constant grazing and browsing by herbivores remove the vegetation cover of an area. When this process occurs continuously over a long period,it prevents the regeneration of plants and leads to soil erosion and loss of soil fertility. This degradation of the land eventually results in the formation of a desert,a process known as desertification.

(A) The topsoil is the most vital layer of the soil and serves as the primary source of nutrients for plants.
The removal or displacement of this topsoil by natural agents such as water,wind,gravity,or ice is known as soil erosion.

(C) . Sheet erosion occurs when heavy rainfall washes away the top layer of fertile soil uniformly over a large area,resembling a thin sheet. This process is particularly common on sloping lands where the water flow is not channelized.

(A) Laterization is a soil-forming process in tropical and subtropical climates where heavy rainfall causes intense leaching of silica and other bases from the soil profile. This process leaves behind an accumulation of iron and aluminum oxides,which results in the degradation of soil fertility and the development of a hard,infertile layer known as laterite. Therefore,it is primarily associated with the degradation of soil quality.

(B) Intensive cultivation (intensive farming) involves growing crops continuously on the same land without adequate rest or replenishment of nutrients. This leads to the depletion of soil minerals and organic matter,thereby reducing soil fertility over time. In contrast,crop rotation,mixed cropping,and the presence of nitrogen-fixing bacteria are practices that help maintain or improve soil fertility.

(C) The process by which the top layer of soil is worn away or removed by natural forces such as wind,water,or ice is called soil erosion.
Soil erosion leads to the loss of fertile topsoil,which is essential for plant growth and agricultural productivity.

(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.

(D) The removal of the top fertile layer of soil is known as soil erosion.
This process is accelerated by human activities such as:
$1$. Over-cultivation: Intensive farming practices deplete soil nutrients and loosen the soil structure.
$2$. Deforestation: The removal of trees and vegetation leaves the soil exposed to wind and water,leading to erosion.
$3$. Poor irrigation practices: Improper irrigation,such as waterlogging or excessive flooding,can lead to soil salinization and degradation of the topsoil.
Therefore,all the mentioned factors contribute to the loss of fertile topsoil.

(B) Jhum cultivation,also known as slash-and-burn agriculture,is a traditional farming method. In this practice,farmers cut down the trees of the forest and burn the plant remains. The ash produced from burning is then used as fertilizer for the soil,which increases the nutrient content of the land for subsequent crop growth.

(D) Soil degradation is the decline in soil quality caused by its improper use,usually for agricultural,pastoral,industrial,or urban purposes. It involves undesirable changes in the soil profile,such as loss of nutrients,erosion,or contamination,which significantly reduce its productivity and fertility.

(A) Overcultivation and unrestricted grazing are human activities that lead to the degradation of land and soil quality. These practices are categorized as improper resource utilization because they exhaust the soil's nutrients and reduce its productivity over time.

(N/A) The degradation of natural resources occurs not only due to the action of pollutants but also because of improper resource utilization practices.
$1$. Soil erosion and desertification: Soil erosion and desertification are major problems today,particularly due to increased urbanization.
The development of fertile topsoil takes centuries,but it can be removed easily due to human activities like over-cultivation,unrestricted grazing,deforestation,and poor irrigation practices.
Such activities,when prolonged over a long period,create deserts.
$2$. Waterlogging and soil salinity: Waterlogging and soil salinity are other causes of resource degradation.
Irrigation without proper drainage leads to waterlogging in the soil.
Waterlogging draws salts to the surface of the soil.
The salt is deposited as a thin crust on the land surface or collects at the roots of the plants.
This increased salt concentration is harmful to crop growth and is extremely damaging to agriculture.
Both these problems,i.e.,waterlogging and soil salinity,have emerged in the wake of the Green Revolution.

(N/A) The removal and transportation of the top layer of soil from its original position to another place with the help of certain agents,such as strong winds and fast-running rainwater,is called soil erosion.