Conserving Land And Soil Reading Quiz

Soil erosion is caused by the combined action of wind and water. Wind can blow away the top layer of soil, especially in areas with little vegetation to hold it in place. Water, on the other hand, can wash away soil particles during heavy rainfall or when there is poor drainage. Both wind and water can carry away the fertile topsoil, leading to the degradation of land and loss of nutrients necessary for plant growth. Therefore, wind and water are the main factors contributing to soil erosion.

Desertification refers to the process of land becoming desert-like, typically due to factors such as poor land management practices or climate change. This process involves the degradation of land, resulting in it no longer being able to support human life. It is not related to a specific city in Arizona or any new legislation proposed by politicians.

Land that cannot be farmed is due to various factors such as being too dry, too wet, too salty, or too mountainous. These conditions make it difficult or impossible to grow crops or raise livestock. Dry land lacks sufficient water for plant growth, while wet land may have excessive moisture that hinders cultivation. Salty land has high levels of salt which is detrimental to most plants. Mountainous land is often characterized by steep slopes and rocky terrain, making it unsuitable for farming. Therefore, the statement "Land that cannot be farmed is due to the land being too dry, too wet, too salty, or too mountainous" is true.

Land reclamation refers to the process of restoring a piece of land to its original or a more natural state, making it productive again. This process involves various techniques such as removing pollutants, restoring vegetation, and improving soil quality. Land reclamation is often necessary after land has been degraded due to human activities such as mining, deforestation, or urbanization. It aims to reverse the negative impacts on the environment and create a sustainable and productive ecosystem.

When the soil becomes less fertile, it means that it lacks essential nutrients required for plant growth and development. This condition is known as nutrient depletion. Nutrient depletion occurs when the soil has been continuously used for agriculture without proper replenishment of nutrients through practices like crop rotation, fertilization, or organic matter addition. As a result, the soil loses its fertility and becomes unable to support healthy plant growth.

The correct answer is "Less than 1/4" because the majority of Earth's surface is covered by water, with only a small portion being dry land. This is supported by the fact that approximately 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by oceans, leaving less than 29% as dry land. Therefore, less than 1/4 of Earth's surface is dry land.

Less than 1/3 of Earth's land can be farmed because the majority of the Earth's surface is covered by water, making it unsuitable for farming. Additionally, large portions of land are occupied by deserts, mountains, and other uninhabitable terrains. Therefore, the amount of land available for agriculture is limited to less than one-third of the total land area on Earth.

The major types of land use include agriculture, mining, and development. Agriculture refers to the cultivation of crops and rearing of livestock for food production. Mining involves extracting minerals and resources from the earth for various purposes. Development refers to the construction of buildings, infrastructure, and urbanization. These three activities have a significant impact on the use and transformation of land for economic and human purposes. Maintaining forests, although important, is not considered a major type of land use in this context.