The Earth Is Eroding At An Unprecedented Pace
Erosion is a natural reaction in nature. It is caused, of course, by the soil disappearing as a result of the interaction of the ocean, water, ice and rain. There are also living organisms that erode the earth as well, as they dig and burrow in the earth. Of course, this is not something that just started happening one day. Environmentalists, like Leigh Steinberg, are very much aware and concern about this issue.
It’s been occurring over the last hundreds of millions of years. The problem is exasperated by gravity as well as through deforestation and overgrazing.
Humans have a lot to do with the problem, as we build more infrastructures, such as roads and highways. This building of infrastructure is in the guise of advancement, of course. Our biggest problem is that for the longest time we built beyond our ability to manage growth in an organized fashion. One way in which we can limit the problem is re-planting and using terraced-building techniques.
In recent years soil erosion is happening at a much faster rate than it is formed. It is causing a huge problem for environmental issues. The over-farming and over-grazing needs of an exploding population is a catalyst for the acceleration of this problem. Our farming technology has become so sophisticated and technologically advanced that we cultivate land at such an alarming rate that trees, plants and soil often do not have a chance to recover.
This type of damage is called tillage erosion. Tillage erosion is much smaller to identify and recognize compared to, for example, large storms which leave deep channels in the ground. But, erosion from over-farming needs to be studied both in the short and long-term.
The biggest problem with erosion is that the quality of the soil suffers tremendously. In other words, the necessary nutrients that the next generation of trees and plants require have been diminished significantly. This creates a vicious cycle, such that only the top layer of soil is reliant upon for nutrients. That top layer of soil is easily eroded by water and wind. More affluent countries can deal with this through the use of high nutrient fertilizer, but poorer countries have a much bigger problem.
It’s very difficult to monitor the progress of erosion because it happens over a prolonged period of time. The effect of the damage is not recognizable immediately. But, the risk of erosion can again cause migration of animals and species to areas to which they are not indigenous. This could cause outspread issues with disease and over population, a huge change in eco dynamics. Some of the areas that have serious issues with erosion include parts of the US, Australia and Europe.
