In this section, you will learn: zz how human activities can lead to soil erosion
zz about the sustainable exploitation of soil as a natural resource.
Deforestation Reforestation
Over-cropping Monoculture Cash crop
Overgrazing Desertification
Semi-arid Nomadic Raised bog Blanket bogs Biomass
Biodiversity Cut-away bog
Soil is a very important natural resource and many economic activities could not take place without it. As with any natural resource, over-exploitation can be a problem. The biggest threat to the economic activities associated with soil is soil erosion. The main causes of soil erosion are deforestation and intensive farming methods.
Deforestation
Deforestation is when forest land is changed to non-forest land. Trees are removed for economic purposes (so the wood can be sold). The land that has been cleared is then used for other purposes, often for agriculture. This has two major effects:
1. The removal of vegetation also removes plant litter, which is the source of humus. This means that the soil loses some of its fertility.
2. The removal of the vegetation cover leaves the soil exposed to wind and rain, which causes soil erosion. The lack of vegetation cover can lead to flooding in lowland areas and mass movement in upland areas during periods of heavy rainfall
The simple solution to this problem is forest management. Controlled removal of trees and replacing trees (reforestation) will greatly reduce the impact of deforestation.
( Figure 16.18 Deforestation and soil erosion
Go to Chapter 4, pages 64–66, to learn more about forestry in Ireland. 295
