Much of the earth's population is dependent on agriculture as it provides food for their sustenance. Successful crop production depends to a considerable extent on land and climate. Soil is the main component of land and a fertile soil is essential for crop growth. However, soil fertility declines over the years mainly due to land degradation. Hence, implementing appropriate measures to control land degradation is important. It is the responsibility of the farmers and the governments to take action to control land degradation. Agricultural extension officers are involved in making farmers aware of land degradation and control measures. Planners and policy makers need scientific assessments on land degradation and its implications so that they could advice the relevant authorities who prepare the national programs and budgets.
This book highlights issues related to land degradation, the causal factors and methods of control. The audience is agricultural practitioners and planners as well as students of agriculture. Environmentalists would also benefit by understanding the main issues related to land degradation discussed.
Author(s): Stanley Weeraratna
Series: SpringerBriefs in Geography
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 74
City: Cham
About the Book
Contents
About the Author
1 Introduction
2 Factors Causing Land Degradation
2.1 Soil Erosion
2.1.1 Rainfall
2.1.2 Runoff
2.1.3 Soil Erodibility
2.1.4 Topography
2.2 Salt Intrusion
2.3 Vegetative Cover
2.4 Human Activities
2.4.1 Tillage
2.4.2 Shifting Cultivation
2.4.3 Deforestation
2.4.4 Mismanagement
2.5 Climate Change
2.5.1 Floods
2.5.2 Drought
2.6 Wind Erosion
2.7 Land Tenure
2.8 Land Use Policies
References
3 Effects of Land Degradation
3.1 Physical Properties
3.1.1 Soil Texture
3.1.2 Soil Depth
3.1.3 Soil Structure
3.1.4 Aggregates and Aggregate Stability
3.1.5 Water Holding Capacity
3.2 Chemical Properties
3.2.1 Nutrient Availability
3.2.2 Soil pH
3.2.3 Salinity
3.3 Biological Properties
3.3.1 Macroorganisms
3.3.2 Microorganisms
3.4 Environment
3.4.1 Eutrophication
3.4.2 Floods
3.4.3 Droughts
3.5 Food Security
3.6 Poverty
3.7 Economy
3.7.1 Gross Domestic Product
References
4 Control of Land Degradation
4.1 Contour Drains and Bunds
4.2 Terracing
4.3 Tillage
4.3.1 Zero Tillage
4.4 Mulches
4.5 SALT Technology
4.6 Use of Vetiver
4.7 Community Involvement
4.8 Control of Wind Erosion
4.9 Extension
4.10 Land Use Policies
4.11 Legal Acts
References
5 Benefits of Land Degradation Control
5.1 Increase Land Productivity
5.1.1 Improve Food Security
5.2 Poverty Alleviation
5.2.1 Better Living Standards
5.3 Improvement of the Economy
5.4 Improvement of the Environment
5.5 Achieving the SDG Goals
5.6 Reduction of Floods and Droughts
References
6 Climate Change and Land Degradation
6.1 What is Climate Change?
6.2 Climate Change and Land Degradation
6.3 Factors Causing Climate Change
6.4 Effects of Climate Change
6.5 Climate Change Phenomena and Their Relevance for Future
References
Index
