Causes of Land Degradation and its Impacts on Agricultural Productivity: A review

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Research areas:
Year:
2021
Type of Publication:
Article
Keywords:
Agriculture, Land Degradation, Restoration
Authors:
Mulugeta Tufa Ejersa
Journal:
IJRIES
Volume:
8
Number:
3
Pages:
67-73
Month:
May
ISSN:
2394-1375
BibTex:
Abstract:
Land degradation is the common environmental problem in Ethiopia which is the major causes of low agricultural productivity and food insecurity. Land degradation may be caused by the natural and human induced factors those trigger for water erosion, deforestation, soil compaction, desertification, salinization, and water logging these are leading to deterioration of the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil. Land degradation could occur in the form of bio-physical and chemical degradation those need different restoration mechanisms in order to conserve natural resource in sustainable manner. Conservation measures throughout history are mainly focused on physical conservation structures which have less contribution for the addition of nutrients removed and to control soil erosion as compared to vegetation or biological measures. Land degradation became more dangerous since it is directly or indirectly affects food security and environment stability thereby ultimately affect nature of biodiversity and soil properties. Currently, it becomes indispensible issues to minimize the impacts of land degradation through identifying its proximate causes. Application of different restoration mechanisms which includes integrated soil fertility management, and soil and water conservation measures are used to reduce the impacts of land degradation thereby use to ensure sustainable land management and food security.