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Which of the following is/are not the effects of soil erosion ?
1. Increase in Frequency and intensity of floods and drought
2. Increase in water holding capacity of Rivers
3. Lowering of Groundwater level
4. Uneven Nutrient distribution
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
- a)1 and 4 only
- b)2 only
- c)3 only
- d)2 and 4 only
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
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Verified Answer
Which of the following is/are not the effects of soil erosion ?1. Incr...
Soil erosion is the displacement of the upper layer of soil (called topsoil). It is a naturally occurring process that affects all landforms. However, certain human activities greatly enhance this process and contribute to significant soil loss. The intensity of soil erosion has also increased due to increased landslides, floods and drought. Soil erosion decreases soil fertility, which can negatively affect crop yields. It also sends soil-laden water downstream, which can create heavy layers of sediment that prevent streams and rivers from flowing smoothly and can eventually lead to flooding. The fertile soil on the top most surface of the dry agricultural land is easily blown away by the wind, which causes soil erosion. So, scarcity of water during drought increases soil erosion. So, Statement 1 is correct.
The raindrops dispersed the soil and washed away into the nearby streams and rivers. Regions with very heavy and frequent rainfall face a large amount of soil loss. When topsoil has eroded, the loss of organic matter can alter the soil's physical properties, especially soil density. Higher clay content at the surface can reduce infiltration of topsoil reducing soil recharge, thus reducing water availability to the plants. The flowing water during floods also erodes a lot of soil by creating potholes, rock-cut basins, etc. Thus, erosion decreases the water holding capacity of the rivers. So, Statement 2 is not correct.
Groundwater erosion is the process by which groundwater erodes part of the bedrock as it passes through. This is primarily due to carbonic acid in the groundwater, which forms when rainwater picks up carbon dioxide in the atmosphere as it falls. The soil erosion mechanisms affect how much water the soil can hold, how rapidly water flows over the soil and its movement below the surface. Soil erosion adversely hinders the growth of plants, agricultural yields, quality of water, and recreation. So, Statement 3 is correct.
Soil erosion reduces the agricultural value of lands via physicochemical degradations. Soil nutrient loss through runoff and sediment is a major driver for soil fertility decline. The eroded sediments or soil are highly concentrated with crop nutrients, which are washed away from farmlands. Some conditions under which erosion can help distribute nutrients across a given area of land. The first condition under which this can occur is a condition of uneven soil nutrient distribution. In such a scenario, nutrients in the form of compost, mulch, or chemical fertilizer; are concentrated heavily in a defined area of land, while the concentration may be very low (relatively) in adjacent areas. A condition like this is unfavorable to the health of the soil and the optimal functioning of the entire ecosystem. Erosion can resolve the problem of uneven nutrient distribution when it occurs mildly or in a cyclic fashion. So, Statement 4 is correct.
Most Upvoted Answer
Which of the following is/are not the effects of soil erosion ?1. Incr...
Effects of Soil Erosion:
Soil erosion can have various detrimental effects on the environment and ecosystem. Let's discuss the effects mentioned in the options:
Increase in Frequency and Intensity of Floods and Drought:
- Soil erosion can lead to the loss of topsoil, which is essential for water retention and absorption. This can result in increased runoff during heavy rainfall, leading to floods. Additionally, erosion can also contribute to the depletion of soil moisture, making the land more susceptible to droughts.
Increase in Water Holding Capacity of Rivers:
- This statement is incorrect. Soil erosion does not increase the water holding capacity of rivers. Instead, it can lead to sedimentation in rivers, which can reduce their water holding capacity and disrupt aquatic ecosystems.
Lowering of Groundwater Level:
- Soil erosion can contribute to the lowering of the groundwater level by reducing the soil's capacity to hold water. As topsoil is lost due to erosion, the ability of the soil to retain and filter water decreases, leading to a decline in groundwater recharge.
Uneven Nutrient Distribution:
- Soil erosion can cause the loss of topsoil, which is rich in nutrients essential for plant growth. This loss of nutrient-rich soil can result in uneven nutrient distribution across the landscape, affecting the productivity of vegetation and agricultural crops.
In conclusion, the effects of soil erosion include an increase in the frequency and intensity of floods and droughts, lowering of the groundwater level, and uneven nutrient distribution. The statement about the increase in water holding capacity of rivers is not a direct effect of soil erosion.
Soil erosion can have various detrimental effects on the environment and ecosystem. Let's discuss the effects mentioned in the options:
Increase in Frequency and Intensity of Floods and Drought:
- Soil erosion can lead to the loss of topsoil, which is essential for water retention and absorption. This can result in increased runoff during heavy rainfall, leading to floods. Additionally, erosion can also contribute to the depletion of soil moisture, making the land more susceptible to droughts.
Increase in Water Holding Capacity of Rivers:
- This statement is incorrect. Soil erosion does not increase the water holding capacity of rivers. Instead, it can lead to sedimentation in rivers, which can reduce their water holding capacity and disrupt aquatic ecosystems.
Lowering of Groundwater Level:
- Soil erosion can contribute to the lowering of the groundwater level by reducing the soil's capacity to hold water. As topsoil is lost due to erosion, the ability of the soil to retain and filter water decreases, leading to a decline in groundwater recharge.
Uneven Nutrient Distribution:
- Soil erosion can cause the loss of topsoil, which is rich in nutrients essential for plant growth. This loss of nutrient-rich soil can result in uneven nutrient distribution across the landscape, affecting the productivity of vegetation and agricultural crops.
In conclusion, the effects of soil erosion include an increase in the frequency and intensity of floods and droughts, lowering of the groundwater level, and uneven nutrient distribution. The statement about the increase in water holding capacity of rivers is not a direct effect of soil erosion.
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Which of the following is/are not the effects of soil erosion ?1. Increase in Frequency and intensity of floods and drought2. Increase in water holding capacity of Rivers3. Lowering of Groundwater level4. Uneven Nutrient distributionSelect the correct answer using the code given below :a)1 and 4 onlyb)2 onlyc)3 onlyd)2 and 4 onlyCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
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Which of the following is/are not the effects of soil erosion ?1. Increase in Frequency and intensity of floods and drought2. Increase in water holding capacity of Rivers3. Lowering of Groundwater level4. Uneven Nutrient distributionSelect the correct answer using the code given below :a)1 and 4 onlyb)2 onlyc)3 onlyd)2 and 4 onlyCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2024 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about Which of the following is/are not the effects of soil erosion ?1. Increase in Frequency and intensity of floods and drought2. Increase in water holding capacity of Rivers3. Lowering of Groundwater level4. Uneven Nutrient distributionSelect the correct answer using the code given below :a)1 and 4 onlyb)2 onlyc)3 onlyd)2 and 4 onlyCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Which of the following is/are not the effects of soil erosion ?1. Increase in Frequency and intensity of floods and drought2. Increase in water holding capacity of Rivers3. Lowering of Groundwater level4. Uneven Nutrient distributionSelect the correct answer using the code given below :a)1 and 4 onlyb)2 onlyc)3 onlyd)2 and 4 onlyCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?.
Which of the following is/are not the effects of soil erosion ?1. Increase in Frequency and intensity of floods and drought2. Increase in water holding capacity of Rivers3. Lowering of Groundwater level4. Uneven Nutrient distributionSelect the correct answer using the code given below :a)1 and 4 onlyb)2 onlyc)3 onlyd)2 and 4 onlyCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2024 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about Which of the following is/are not the effects of soil erosion ?1. Increase in Frequency and intensity of floods and drought2. Increase in water holding capacity of Rivers3. Lowering of Groundwater level4. Uneven Nutrient distributionSelect the correct answer using the code given below :a)1 and 4 onlyb)2 onlyc)3 onlyd)2 and 4 onlyCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Which of the following is/are not the effects of soil erosion ?1. Increase in Frequency and intensity of floods and drought2. Increase in water holding capacity of Rivers3. Lowering of Groundwater level4. Uneven Nutrient distributionSelect the correct answer using the code given below :a)1 and 4 onlyb)2 onlyc)3 onlyd)2 and 4 onlyCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?.
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