Soil Degradation | Soil Genesis and Development, Scenario 3 - Soils and Salts

Problems arise, though, when different potential users of land have very different priorities. These priorities are reflected in assessments of soil quality. The term “soil quality” is generally used in an agricultural sense, but can be broadened to include the ability of land to achieve all of the soil ecosystem functions listed above. Similarly, soil quality degradation is usually seen as damaging the crop production potential of land, but can be broadened.

Factors that can degrade soil quality

Mismanagement

Salinization

Overharvesting

Contamination

Quiz

Question

Question 18: From what you now know about the current saline wetland site which is proposed for development, which of these factors is the greatest danger to degrade the existing quality of the site‏?

mismanagement

Erosion and loss of the A horizon, especially on more sloping locations such as soil 1, is a strong possibility, especially when the soil is uncovered and subject to construction vehicle traffic.

salinization

The soil is already saline, but the loss of salinity, to an ecologist, would be degradation of a unique habitat.

overharvesting

Harvest of plant material will not be part of a typical development of this type.

contamination

Housing and small-scale commercial development are not usually sources of contamination. Industrial development, which is not proposed here, could lead to contamination.

Looks Good! Erosion and loss of the A horizon, especially on more sloping locations such as soil 1, is a strong possibility, especially when the soil is uncovered and subject to construction vehicle traffic.

To review this concept click on the links: Soil Genesis and Development Lesson 6.3