Question

What is meant by desertification? Describe how the process of erosion leads to a loss of water-holding capacity and, hence, to desertification.

Short answer

Desertification is the process by which fertile land becomes desert mainly due to inappropriate agricultural practices, deforestation, or drought. Erosion, primarily from the removal of vegetation, wears away the topsoil, reducing the soil's capacity to hold water, leading to desert-like conditions conducive to desertification.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Desertification

Desertification refers to the process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically as a result of deforestation, drought, or inappropriate agriculture.

Beginning Stages of Erosion

Erosion is a process that gradually wears away the soil. When plants are removed (through deforestation or unsustainable farming practices), the soil is exposed which makes it more susceptible to erosion by wind and water.

Erosion and Reduced Water-Holding Capacity

As erosion wears away the topsoil (which contains the most organic matter and is where most plant roots are), it reduces the soil's ability to hold onto water due to decreased organic matter content and fewer spaces for the water to cling to.

Linking Erosion to Desertification

The decrease in water-holding capacity leads to dryer soil, creating a hostile environment for plants. Without vegetation, the land further deteriorates and becomes more desert-like, thus completing the process of desertification.