Soil Degradation

Types of Soil Degradation

The information on soil degradation process does not relate to the fragility of the ecosystem. Two categories of soil degradation processes are recognized. The first group relates to the displacement of soil material. The second group deals with soil deterioration in-situ. This can be physical or chemical process.

We already have the basic concepts about erosion.

Now we will know about the physical and chemical degradation.

Physical degradation

Physical degradation refers to the deterioration of the physical properties of soil as a result of structural breakdown when soil aggregates are deformed.
In a further stage a soil will be compacted or over compacted as a result of pressure and sliding forces.

To know about the factors affecting degradation, Click Here

Various processes are associated with physical degradation:

• Clay Migration
• Structural Degradation
• Soil Compaction
• Surface Sealing and Crusting

The processes that is involved in chemical degradation are:

• Loss of nutrients
• Loss of organic matter
• Salinization
• Acidification
• Pollution