Page 167 - Primary Five Science

Causes of Soil Erosion

Deforestation

This is the massive cutting down of trees

Overgrazing

It is the keeping of animals on the small piece of land for a long time.

Over cultivation

This is the growing of crops on a piece of land year after year without

leaving the land to rest.

Bush burning

It is the removing of plant cover using fire.

Mono cropping

This is the growing of one type of crop repeatedly on the same piece

of land

Poor farming methods

These include

 Ploughing along the slopes

 Planting crops along the slopes.

Construction

Constructing buildings and roads churns up the ground and exposes

soil to erosion.