Of all soil layers, topsoil is the most susceptible to erosion, explains Eric Brevik. Additionally, soil types, organics, and compaction can vary on the same property. A post-World War I recession led farmers to try new mechanized farming techniques as a way to increase profits. Think about all the traffic your garden gets especially over the lawn such as children playing and builders using heavy equipment. This is because the soil was saturated with moisture for certain periods. Wet soils are particularly susceptible to compaction. The top soil layers provide the bearing capacity to hold the structure, and ensure stability of the foundation. Many plants drown in wet conditions when they can't get enough oxygen in the waterlogged areas. Soil erosion is a problem in many developed as well as developing nations, and most of the time this problem is caused due to bad or poor farming techniques and methods. Factors affecting food security. How does poor soil affect plants? Overgrazing and poor farming techniques can also lead to soil erosion, but it is important to remember that not all causes are human; climate and natural soil quality are also important factors to consider in tropical and mountainous regions. Various Causes of Soil Pollution. Weathering is brought about by the chemical action of water, air, plants and bacteria. Weathering; Weathering is the natural procedure of rock deterioration that leads to weak, landslide-susceptive materials. 30 Tillage erosion can cause both wind and water erosion as poorly-managed soils are more susceptible to both. Continual drifting of an area gradually causes a textural change in the soil. Poor soil contributes to tree stress and manifests itself in many ways, including chlorosis/discoloration of leaves, stunted growth, or gradual dieback of the tree from the top down. Failure of foundation causes different defects in buildings such as cracks leading to failure or collapse. Soil drifting is a fertility-depleting process that can lead to poor crop growth and yield reductions in areas of fields where wind erosion is a recurring problem. Drainage is a factor that often gets overlooked when it comes to a lawn, but it is often the root of many lawn problems including moss and ground ivy. The cause and solution of an unstable soil must be looked at on a case by case basis and be taken care of and remedied prior to any paving work. The best way to fix this is to first take a screwdriver and push it into the soil. Soil is a mixture of organic matter, minerals, gases, liquids, and organisms that together support life. Nearly 10 million hectares of arable land are lost to erosion and other forms of soil degradation every year [1].. Countries all over the world are battling with worrisome sight of deepening gullies crisscrossing the landscape and barren fields stripped of the fertile topsoil. Construction defects may be as a result of a defect in the workmanship, design materials or system failure. Soil erosion is the most serious precursor of soil degradation that comes with global implications. Asked August 8, 2014, 10:16 AM EDT I have heard that our soil is not a rich as it was and that the plants produced on that land does have the vitamins or mineral as they once did. Foundation is the first element of a building where the construction starts. There can be different types of foundation failures on soil due to movement and settlement which can cause the building to collapse. Ways to Increase drainage in heavy and poor draining soil Soil needs to drain; when soil doesn’t drain there can be big problems in your garden, and can negatively impact the health of your plants. Repair of defects in foundations […] 31 Agriculture: cause and victim of water pollution, but change is possible Agriculture, which accounts for 70 percent of water withdrawals worldwide, plays a major role in water pollution. Some soil clumps take on a gray color because of the periods of poor drainage. In addition, ashen debris flows instigated by earthquakes could also cause mass soil movement. Causes of Poor Aeration: Compact soils of finer textures suffer from poor aeration. They are one of the most common causes of disputes in the industry. Heavy Rain & Flood Conditions: As clay soil gets wet, it holds on to water and becomes very soft. ­The seeds of the Dust Bowl may have been sowed during the early 1920s. Yes, soil erosion beyond the natural rate. Cultivation (working-the soil when crops are growing) of soil prevents it. Vegetation, inadequate drainage, plumbing leakage, and evaporation, may cause soil variation. 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