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Discuss the impact of human activity on soil. - Leaving Cert Geography - Question 17 - 2015
Question 17
Discuss the impact of human activity on soil.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Discuss the impact of human activity on soil. - Leaving Cert Geography - Question 17 - 2015
Step 1
Negative impacts of human activity on soil
Answer
Human activities significantly harm soil quality and health. For example:
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Deforestation: Clearing forests for agriculture or urban development leads to soil erosion. Without trees to anchor the soil, heavy rains wash away the topsoil, which is crucial for plant growth.
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Agricultural Practices: Intensive farming, especially monoculture, depletes soil nutrients and can lead to soil degradation. The overuse of fertilizers and pesticides can lead to soil contamination, which impacts soil microorganisms and biodiversity.
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Urbanization: The expansion of urban areas leads to soil sealing, where soil is covered by impermeable surfaces. This disrupts natural water infiltration and can reduce soil fertility and biodiversity.
These factors cumulatively decrease nutrient availability and soil productivity.
Step 2
Positive impacts of human activity on soil
Answer
While many human activities degrade soil, there are also practices that can enhance soil health:
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Sustainable Agricultural Practices: Techniques such as crop rotation and permaculture can maintain or improve soil structure and fertility by diversifying the types of crops grown and reducing pest populations naturally.
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Soil Conservation Techniques: Implementing contour farming and terracing can reduce soil erosion. Additionally, cover crops can be planted to protect the soil during off-seasons, adding organic matter back to the soil.
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Restoration Projects: Initiatives aimed at reforestation and wetland restoration can improve soil health by restoring natural ecosystems, which brings back biodiversity and improves nutrient cycling in the soil.