Page 228 - New Medley 5 Semester 2

 Too much ploughing of farmland also makes
the soil loose. Wind or water can easily carry
away this loosened soil.

 Sometimes, soil is le bare for a long time a er

harvesting. is unprotected soil can also be
easily blown away.

1 Deforestation leads to soil erosion.
• Remembering

Fill in the blanks.

1. Breaking up of into tiny pieces forms soil.

2. Carrying away of the topsoil by wind, rain or owing water is called
.
3. Cutting down of trees on large scale is called .

EFFECTS OF SOIL EROSION

Soil erosion has following e ects:

 When the fertile topsoil is eroded, the less fertile subsoil comes to the surface

which leads to a fall in crop production. Gradually, the land loses its fertility
and becomes barren.

 Silting at large-scale makes the river change its course.

 Soil erosion causes water pollution.

 Large-scale soil erosion can lead to landslides which results in the loss of

life and property.

CONSERVATION OF SOIL

e protection of soil against its erosion is called soil conservation.

Di erent methods of soil conservation are as follows:
 Planting trees or A orestation: Roots of plants hold

the soil particles together and thus protect the soil

from being carried away by wind or water. Trees,
bushes, grasses and hedges along the boundaries

of farmlands shield the topsoil and prevent soil Planting trees prevents
erosion. soil erosion.

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