Degradation & Erosion
Sheet · Rill · Gully · Desertification
MICRO-REALM 01
Soil Degradation
- DECLINE IN SOIL QUALITY & FERTILITY
- PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL, OR BIOLOGICAL
- EXCEEDS NATURAL FORMATION RATE
MICRO-REALM 02
Sheet Erosion
- UNIFORM REMOVAL OF TOPSOIL
- CAUSED BY HEAVY RAIN ON FLAT/GENTLE LAND
- OFTEN UNNOTICED BUT HIGHLY DESTRUCTIVE
MICRO-REALM 03
Rill Erosion
- FORMATION OF SMALL, FINGER-LIKE CHANNELS
- CONCENTRATED RUNOFF DOWN A SLOPE
- INTERMEDIATE STAGE BEFORE GULLIES
MICRO-REALM 04
Gully Erosion (Ravines)
- ENLARGEMENT OF RILLS INTO DEEP CHASMS
- TEARS AGRICULTURAL LAND APART
- PROMINENT IN CHAMBAL VALLEY (MP/UP)
MICRO-REALM 05
Wind Erosion
- DEFLATION: LIFTING OF LOOSE PARTICLES
- ABRASION: SANDBLASTING EFFECT
- SEVERE IN ARID NW INDIA (RAJASTHAN)
MICRO-REALM 06
Badlands Topography
- SEVERELY GULLIED, RUGGED TERRAIN
- UNFIT FOR CULTIVATION OR SETTLEMENT
- RESULT OF UNCHECKED WATER EROSION
MICRO-REALM 07
Salinisation
- ACCUMULATION OF SALTS IN ROOT ZONE
- CAUSED BY OVER-IRRIGATION & HIGH EVAPORATION
- TURNS FERTILE LAND INTO 'USAR' (BARREN)
MICRO-REALM 08
Waterlogging
- RISE OF WATER TABLE TO SURFACE
- DEPRIVES PLANT ROOTS OF OXYGEN
- OFTEN PRECEDES SALINISATION IN CANAL ZONES
MICRO-REALM 09
Desertification
- SPREAD OF ARID/DESERT CONDITIONS
- DRIVEN BY CLIMATE CHANGE & HUMAN ACTION
- ENCROACHMENT OF THAR DESERT EASTWARD
MICRO-REALM 10
Deforestation Impact
- REMOVAL OF VEGETATIVE COVER
- ROOTS NO LONGER BIND THE SOIL
- EXPONENTIALLY INCREASES EROSION RATES
MICRO-REALM 11
Faulty Agriculture
- PLOUGHING DOWN-SLOPE (CREATES CHANNELS)
- SHIFTING CULTIVATION (JHUMMING)
- OVERGRAZING COMPACTS & BARES SOIL
MICRO-REALM 12
The Impact
- LOSS OF NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY
- SILTATION OF RIVERS & RESERVOIRS (FLOODS)
- DESTRUCTION OF BIODIVERSITY & LIVELIHOODS