scispace - formally typeset
Search or ask a question

What are soil physical degradation? 


Best insight from top research papers

Soil physical degradation refers to the deterioration of soil structure and functions due to physical forces like water and wind erosion, compaction, and tillage, exacerbated by human activities . This degradation leads to issues such as soil compaction, surface resistance, and aggregate breakdown, impacting soil health and ecosystem functioning . Anthropogenic practices like land conversion for intensive agriculture contribute significantly to soil degradation, releasing carbon dioxide and reducing soil fertility . Improper use of chemical fertilizers can also negatively affect soil quality, leading to decreased productivity and fertility . Inadequate farming methods, including decarbonization of soil and poor nutrient management, accelerate soil loss rates, posing sustainability challenges for agriculture . To mitigate soil physical degradation, it is crucial to understand erosion processes, develop simulation models, and implement sustainable land management practices.

Answers from top 5 papers

More filters
Papers (5)Insight
Soil physical degradation refers to disturbances caused by human activities, impacting soil quality, moisture retention, and crop diversity, highlighting the importance of sustainable agroecological practices for soil conservation.
Open accessJournal ArticleDOI
S. Irawan, E. Antriyandarti 
01 Feb 2021
5 Citations
Soil physical degradation refers to the decline in soil structure due to factors like excessive chemical fertilizer use, negatively impacting rice productivity in Java, as shown in the study.
Soil physical degradation includes aggregate breakdown, compaction, and surface resistance caused by raindrop impact, varying with soil type and slope gradient, affecting rill detachment in semi-arid regions.
Soil physical degradation includes erosion by water and wind, compaction, and soil sealing/land take. It diminishes soil functions and ecosystem services, necessitating prevention and monitoring efforts.
Soil physical degradation refers to the decline in soil structure and composition, impacting its ability to support plant and animal life, nutrient cycling, and water regulation.

Related Questions

What are negative impacts of Physical Remediation of soil?5 answersPhysical remediation of soil can have negative impacts on soil properties. Studies have shown that physical treatments like ex situ thermal desorption (TD) can alter soil characteristics significantly. For instance, TD treatment at 350°C led to a decrease in soil organic carbon and total aggregation, resulting in changes in saturated hydraulic conductivity and water retention capacity. Additionally, the removal of crop residues for various purposes can also negatively affect soil physical properties, increasing penetration resistance, soil temperature, and reducing aggregate stability and water retention. These alterations can elevate erosion risks, diminish soil water storage, and potentially impact the overall health and productivity of the soil ecosystem.
What are the effects of soil degradation?5 answersSoil degradation, caused by various factors like intensive agriculture and anthropogenic activities, leads to a decline in soil quality and fertility, impacting ecosystems and human livelihoods globally. Effects include reduced soil productivity, loss of biodiversity, increased production costs, food scarcity, and compromised ecosystem services like water regulation and nutrient cycling. This degradation is exacerbated by practices such as deforestation, overgrazing, and improper land use, contributing to soil erosion, nutrient loss, and reduced carbon stocks. Furthermore, soil degradation can lead to the exposure of less fertile soil layers, slow vegetation regeneration, and decreased microbial activity, ultimately affecting agricultural productivity and ecosystem functions. Addressing soil degradation through sustainable practices is crucial to mitigate these detrimental impacts and ensure long-term soil health and productivity.
What is Soil degradation and effects on plant growth?4 answersSoil degradation refers to the deterioration of soil quality and fertility, often caused by factors such as erosion, nutrient depletion, pollution, and compaction. It has significant effects on plant growth and productivity. Degraded soil can lead to reduced nutrient availability, imbalanced pH levels, water deficiency, and poor organic matter content, all of which can negatively impact plant growth. Additionally, soil degradation can result in the loss of beneficial soil microorganisms and disrupt nutrient cycling processes, further hindering plant growth. The degradation of permafrost, a type of soil, due to climate warming can also affect vegetation growth by altering soil organic matter turnover and nutrient availability. Overall, soil degradation poses a significant challenge to agriculture and ecosystem sustainability, highlighting the need for effective soil management practices to mitigate its negative impacts on plant growth.
What is land degradation?5 answersLand degradation refers to the loss of productivity, utility, and quality of land. It is caused by various factors such as land use transformation, overexploitation of natural resources, population growth, economic development, and climate change. Land degradation has significant impacts on climate change, habitat and biodiversity loss, poverty, and environmental hazards. It leads to the depletion of carbon in vegetation and soil, contributing to global warming. Biodiversity is also affected through habitat loss, changes in species diversity and abundance, soil degradation, and overexploitation of endemic species. Land degradation is a global concern, with large areas of land being degraded due to anthropogenic activities. It affects ecosystem health, environmental sustainability, and the provision of ecosystem services. Sustainable land management and conservation practices are necessary to reverse land degradation and ensure environmental sustainability.
What is degradation related to soil erosion?5 answersSoil erosion is a significant factor in the degradation of agricultural land, as it causes the displacement, transportation, and deposition of soil particles through the actions of water or wind. Land degradation refers to any change in the original condition of the land that may affect soil productivity, including topsoil erosion, loss of vegetation, and salinity. Soil erosion is a pervasive form of land degradation that threatens land productivity, food and water security. Physical soil degradation, initiated by physical forces and processes such as water and wind erosion, soil compaction, and soil sealing, accelerates land degradation. Soil erosion is a major threat driving soil degradation globally, with impacts on crop yields, soil biota, biogeochemical cycles, and human nutrition. Overall, degradation related to soil erosion involves the displacement and loss of soil particles, loss of vegetation, and the deterioration of soil structure and ecosystem services.
What is Land degradation?4 answersLand degradation refers to the decline in the quality or performance of land due to various human-induced processes and natural factors. It is a global issue that affects both the environment and human livelihoods. Land degradation can be caused by factors such as erosion, changes in land features, and loss of soil productivity. The impacts of land degradation include reduced agronomic productivity, erratic rainfall patterns, and threats to food security. It is a complex process that is influenced by climate change and contributes to it as well. Monitoring and assessing land degradation can be done using geospatial techniques such as remote sensing and geographic information systems, which provide detailed information on the extent, type, and causes of land degradation. Effective management and rehabilitation of degraded land are crucial for sustainable agriculture and the well-being of farmers.