IB Core Unit 3 Environmental Quality and

Sustainability

Rural Land Degradation

A decline in the overall quality of soil, water
or vegetation condition caused by both
natural processes and human activities.

Soil Erosion
Erosion is:
The wearing away of the landscape
Soil is eroded by:
Wind
Water

What causes it?

Leaching
Deforestation
Farming Practices
Deep ploughing
Monoculture
Chemicals
Over Irrigation
Machinery
Overgrazing/ Overcropping

Soil Erosion By Wind

1. Surface Creep
-

Strong Winds force largest particles to roll along

the soil surface

Soil Erosion By Wind

2. Saltation
- Medium particles bounce under strong winds

3. Suspension
- Smallest particles are light enough to be kept in the
air for long periods

Main Causes

Strong Winds
Flat Land
Permeable Soil
Human Activity
Deforestation
Water Extraction

Soil Erosion By Water

1. Sheet

Removal of soil in small,

thin layers on even
surfaces gentle slopes
where little energy.

Soil Erosion By Water

2. Gully
Rills deepen into gullies
cut through topsoil and
subsoil. On very steep
slopes.

The Main Causes

Heavy Rainfall (more run-off)

Slope (speed of run-off)
Soil type (permeability)
Human Activity (removing natural
vegetation)

Deforestation
Bad Ploughing/ use of machinery
Overgrazing/ crop growing/ overcropping
Removing hedges

What causes it?

Physical

Human

Land
degradation

The Impacts

Less productivity on the land

Desertification
Change in surface microclimate
Drying up of wells and springs
Less water infiltration
Health problems

How can it be managed?

Afforestation
Organic farming
Terracing on hillsides
Contour ploughing
Shelter belts
Intercropping
Fallow periods
All dependent on wealth of country

PAGE 120 QBLOCK 3E

Report

Aim is to: explain the causes of soil degradation

discuss the environmental and socio-economic consequences of soil degradation
discuss soil degradation management strategies
You will work in a small group (maximum 3 people) to produce a presentation that
includes the following:
What is soil?
What is soil degradation?
What is desertification?
How is desertification linked to soil degradation?
Using a named and located case study - explain the causes of soil degradation?
Using the same named and located case study - explain the environmental
consequences of soil degradation.
Using the same named and located case study - explain the socio-economic
consequences of soil degradation.
Using the same named and located case study - explain and evaluate the
management strategies that have been used to control the soil degradation.

Review

Write down the following, in short, spreading them out across a

large sheet of paper:
two causes of soil degradation
two environmental consequences of soil degradation
one social consequence of soil degradation
two economic consequences of soil degradation
two management strategies for combating soil degradation
one location you have studied where soil degradation has occurred

Mind map the linkages between the causes, consequences and

management of soil degradation. As you link each of the elements
ensure that you write what the link is.