Concept URI | http://www.eionet.europa.eu/gemet/concept/7855 |
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Preferred label | soil damage |
Definition | Soil impaired as a consequence of human activity. A study financed by UNEP, reporting in 1992, found that about 10,5% of the world's vegetative surface had been seriously damaged by human activity since 1945. The study found that much of the damage had been masked by a general rise in global agricultural productivity resulting from expanded irrigation, better plant varieties, and greater use of production inputs, such as fertilizers and pesticides. More than 1/3 of the damaged land was in Asia, almost 1/3 in Africa, and 1/4 in Central America. Some land had been damaged beyond restoration. The greatest sources of soil degradation were overgrazing, unsuitable agricultural practices, and deforestation. |
Notation | |
Status | Valid |
Status Modified | 2013-12-05 |
Accepted Date | 2013-12-05 |
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Source |
European Environment Agency
Kgs. Nytorv 6, DK-1050 Copenhagen K, Denmark