Question

Erosion can result in a vicious cycle of worsening erosion because ________. A. rainwater increasingly soaks into the ground B. the accumulation of humus makes erosion more likely C. plants are less likely to grow in eroded soil D. the pH of the soil increases as erosion continues E. greater weathering of parent material will occur

Answer 1

The correct answer is: C.

Explanation:

• Soil Erosion can be defined as the process by which the loose uppermost nutrient-rich and fertile layer of the earth crust, which forms the top soil, is removed due to natural or anthropological factors.
• The natural factors include, running water, wind, glaciers. It also includes natural calamities like, flood, avalanche, landslides, storms, volcanic activities, earthquake, etc.
• The man-made factors include deforestation,overgrazing, over-cropping, construction, mining, etc.
• Trees tend to hold the loose uppermost layer of the earth crust, the top soil, tightly with the help of their roots and helps in maintaining the soil fertility.
• Deforestation tend to cause the removal of the trees and hence the fertile top soil get exposed to erosion causing it to gradually lose its fertility.
• The non-fertile soil is devoid of humus and other essential nutrients those promote the growth of plants. Hence, new plants are not able to grow in this soil.
• This further aggravates the process of soil erosion.