Leaving Certificate Geography Practice Test

Land degradation primarily results from human activities, which encompass a range of practices that negatively impact the environment. Agricultural expansion, deforestation, urbanization, and industrial processes contribute significantly to soil erosion, nutrient depletion, and loss of vegetation. For instance, the use of intensive farming practices, such as monoculture and excessive use of fertilizers, can lead to soil nutrient exhaustion and significant degradation over time.

Additionally, practices like overgrazing by livestock can compact soil and reduce its capacity to hold water, further exacerbating degradation. Urbanization often leads to the paving over of fertile land, which diminishes its ability to sustain plant life and contribute to ecological balance. Thus, human activities play a crucial role in causing land degradation, making this the primary reason for this environmental issue.

While natural disasters, seasonal changes, and lack of biodiversity can influence land conditions, they are not the main driving forces behind land degradation when compared to the extensive impact of human-induced factors.