HUMAN GEOGRAPHY


Many scientists fear that relentless soil degradation is creating a cycle of infertility, climate change and plant failure that is already transforming segments of former lush forests into desertified* wastelands. This cycle is illustrated in Figure 3.


Infertile and eroded soils cannot support the trees that are needed to transpire water vapour back into the atmosphere.


Reduced water vapour results in dramatically reduced rainfall.


Reduced rainfall results in less vegetation growth.


Cycle of infertility, climate change and plant failure in parts of the Amazon basin


3


Reduced vegetation cover exposes soil to more erosion.


Part of the Amazonian rainforest in its natural state. How does this area maintain its natural fertility?


The results of deforestation in another part of the Amazon Basin. How has human interference damaged soil fertility in this area?


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