Geography [2 Mark Question Answer]

Soil erosion :
It refers to the washing away or removal of the layers of soil by various agents like running water and wind.
Soil conservation :
It refers to the protection of soil against erosion and exhaustion because of deforestation, excessive grazing, running

Weathering :
It is the process by which rocks on the land surface break down or crumble because of the action of the elements of weather such as rain, frost, and temperature changes.
Erosion :
It is the process by which the weathered materials are transported elsewhere by agents such as running water, moving ice waves, and winds.

Degradation :
The process by which rock materials from the earth’s surface are removed resulting in a general lowering of land surfaces.
Aggradation :
The process by which the rock material removed from the earth’s surface and then deposited in depressions such as valleys, lakes, and sea beds. The depression fills

The decaying remains of dead plants in soil tend to form organic acid which when dissolved in water cause chemical weathering. Ants, earthworms and burrowing animals such as rats and rabbits loosen soil and make tunnels causing weathering.

When the surface layers of rounded rocks and boulders gradually peel off in layers is called exfoliation. This occurs due to expansion of the outer layer during the day and the contraction of the same layer during the night, repeatedly over a period of time.

The various methods of conserving soil are :
Contour tilling, terrace farming, strip cropping, contour bunding, afforestation, crop rotation, fallowing and controlled grazing.

Soil erosion also refers to the loss of fertility of soil, which makes the soil infertile and exhausted. Cutting down of trees and forests, overgrazing by animals, floods, and improper farming practices are some of the main causes of soil erosion.