Which of the following statements about artificial erosion is true? a. Artificial erosion can occur 100 times faster than natural erosion. b. Farming practices do not contribute to artificial erosion. c. Artificial erosion causes a loss of fertile soil. d. Artificial erosion is only caused by recreational activities.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is: c. Artificial erosion causes a loss of fertile soil.
Explanation
Artificial erosion is the accelerated removal of soil due to human activities, as opposed to natural erosion, which happens slowly over time through natural processes like wind, rain, and glacial movement. Among the most significant consequences of artificial erosion is the loss of fertile topsoil, which is crucial for agriculture and plant growth.
Topsoil contains most of the organic matter, nutrients, and microorganisms essential for healthy plant development. When this layer is removed due to artificial erosion, crop yields decline, and the land becomes less productive or even barren. This can lead to food insecurity, economic hardship for farmers, and long-term environmental degradation.
Artificial erosion is commonly caused by unsustainable farming practices such as overgrazing, deforestation, excessive tilling, and lack of crop rotation. For example, plowing fields without proper contouring can leave soil vulnerable to being washed away by rainfall. Therefore, statement b is false because farming practices do contribute significantly to artificial erosion.
Statement a, which suggests artificial erosion occurs 100 times faster than natural erosion, is an exaggeration. While artificial erosion can be significantly faster than natural rates, the exact multiple depends on land use, climate, and topography. Scientific studies suggest that it can be 10 to 40 times faster, but not consistently 100 times faster.
Statement d, which limits the cause of artificial erosion to recreational activities, is also incorrect. While off-road vehicles and hiking trails can contribute to localized erosion, the primary causes are agricultural and industrial activities.
In summary, artificial erosion leads to the loss of fertile soil, which negatively impacts agriculture, ecosystems, and long-term land sustainability. It is driven by human activities, especially poor land management practices, making it a serious environmental concern that requires sustainable solutions like reforestation, terracing, and conservation tillage.
