Land degradation is a concept in which the value of the biophysical environment is affected by one or more combination of human-induced processes acting upon the land. Natural hazards are excluded as a cause, however human activities can indirectly affect phenomena such as floods and bushfires.

It is estimated that up to 40% of the world's agricultural land is seriously degraded.

CAUSES:

Overgrazing by livestock can lead to land degradation

Land degradation is a global problem, largely related to agricultural use. The major causes include:

• Land clearance, such as clearcutting and deforestation
• Agricultural depletion of soil nutrients through poor farming practices
• Livestock including overgrazing
• Inappropriate Irrigation ^[3] and overdrafting
• Urban sprawl and commercial development
• Land pollution including industrial waste
• Vehicle off-roading
• Quarrying of stone, sand, ore and minerals