Understanding Land Degradation: An Overview

ISBN-13: 9783031121371 / Angielski / Miękka / 2022

Stanley Weeraratna

Opis

Much of the earth's population is dependent on agriculture as it provides food for their sustenance. Successful crop production depends to a considerable extent on land and climate. Soil is the main component of land and a fertile soil is essential for crop growth. However, soil fertility declines over the years mainly due to land degradation.  Hence, implementing appropriate measures to control land degradation is important. 

It is the responsibility of the farmers and the governments to take action to control land degradation. Agricultural extension officers are involved in making farmers aware of land degradation and control measures. Planners and policy makers  need scientific assessments on land degradation and its implications so that they could advice the relevant authorities who prepare the national programs and budgets. 

This book highlights issues related to land degradation, the causal factors and methods of control. The audience is agricultural practitioners and planners as well as students of agriculture. Environmentalists would also benefit by understanding the main issues related to land degradation discussed.

Spis treści

Preface -

Introduction

Chapter 1. What causes Land Degradation (note- each section will have a description of 2-3 pages)

 1.1   Heavy rainfall and rains of high erosivity

1.2    Wind

1.3   Low soil organic matter

1.4   Salinity caused by Intrusion of sea water during low-tide

1.5   Water logging

1.6   Human activities such as cultivation of steep slopes, and  deforestation ,

1.7   Over exploitation of ground water ,

1.8   Insecurity of tenure- Large numbers of people who use land without a proper title of ten do not take any interest in protecting the soil due to the uncertainty of ownership

1.9   Lack of land use policy - For example the cultivation  of crops such as tobacco and potatoes on steep slopes

References

Chapter 2. Effects of Land degradation (note- each section will have a description of 2-3 pages)

 

2.1   Decline on soil fertility- Washing down on the clay fraction and increase % sand fraction effecting soil physical composition

2.2   Decrease in soil depth, increase in sand fraction causing the cation exchange Capacity  to decrease and  Increase infiltration, decrease in nutrient level mainly anions such as nitrates, phosphates

2.3   Retardation of Growth of plants affecting flora and fauna

2.4   Floods and droughts

2.5    Food Security

2.6   Poverty and  Gross Domestic Product

2.7   Effects on environment: Eutrophication

2.8   loss of habitat for wild animals   .

2.9   Effects in the economy

References

Chapter 3. Control of soil degradation ( note- each section will have a description of 2-3 pages with photos and figures) )

 

3.1   Soil mulches

3.2   Contour drains and bunds

3.3   Terracing

3.4   SALT technology

3.5   Increasing soil  organic matter levels

3.6   Wind breaks

3.7   Extension

3.8   Legal acts

References

Chapter 4. .Advantages of soil degradation control (note- each section will have a description of 2-3 pages

4.1 Increase soil productivity

4.2 Higher crop yields

4.3. Reduction of poverty in agricultural communities

4.4 Improvement of heath and living standards of the rural communities

4.5 Achieving some of the sustainable Development Goals (SDG 1,2,3 and 4)

4.6 Reduction of floods and droughts

References

               

O autorze

Dr. Stanley Weeraratne, an agricultural graduate of the University of Ceylon, completed his PhD at Wye College of the University of London in 1972. In 1980 he  was appointed Professor and Head,  Dept. of Agronomy, Ruhuna University  Sri Lanka. Later he joined the Univ. of South Pacific  and after a few years he was appointed a Soil Fertility and Microbiology Specialist of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Subsequently Dr. Weeraratna  was appointed Professor and Head, Dept. of Soils and Water Resources Management,  of the Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka and later he was appointed Chairman of Sugarcane Research Institute of Sri Lanka. He was elected Chairman of Lanka Rainwater Harvesting Forum  a few years ago and at present is a member of the forum.