Land, Water and Atmosphere Degradation by Sophie Cruickshank https://padlet.com/cruickshanksop/ag27jkys2gmlcuv0 Based on Oxford Textbook Chapter 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4 en-us 2022-02-09 03:21:58 UTC 2025-11-08 08:08:04 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f331.png Land Degradation cruickshanksop https://padlet.com/cruickshanksop/ag27jkys2gmlcuv0/wish/2037024340 Land Degradation:
The loss of productivity and decline in fertility of land-based environments as a result of human activities.

Three types of Land Degradation:
1. Soil Degradation = the loss of fertility of the soil, often due to climate change.
  • Caused by being compacted by large machinery and hard-hooved animals, and loss of soil nutrients bc intensive farming.
  • Consequences could include: build up of salt in the top soil (salinity), and less land to use.

2. Soil Erosion = when soil is gradually worn away by natural phenomena. 
  • Caused by wind erosion, gully erosion, and sheet erosion (wind, water and loss of topsoil)
  • Human activities often accelerate erosion
  •  Less usage of land.

3. Ecosystem Decline = the natural ecosystems of an area can become degraded, like soil.
  • Caused by loss of vegetation, invasion of alien plant and animal pests, or decline in quality of streams and rivers.
  • When linked with soil quality decline, it can lead to desertification. 

]]> 2022-02-09 03:46:49 UTC https://padlet.com/cruickshanksop/ag27jkys2gmlcuv0/wish/2037024340 Atmosphere Degradation cruickshanksop https://padlet.com/cruickshanksop/ag27jkys2gmlcuv0/wish/2039561761 Atmosphere Degradation:
Pollutants released into the atmosphere from factories and transport are disturbing the natural balance of gases that form in the atmosphere, causing climate change and damage to the ozone layer.

Air Pollution
  • A.P. = world's worst environmental health risk.
  • Aprox. 3.5 million poeple around the world die from outdoor A.P., further 4.3 million from indoor A.P.
  • Tougher laws and restrictions governing emissions from factories and vehicles to improve air quality. However, in many countries across the world (e.g. Asia and Africa) air quality is getting worse.
                  - From rapid growth and   
                     expansion of cities (increase
                     demand for energy = more
                     fossil fuels burned)

India Air Pollution
  • India = highest level of A.P. on the planet. 
  • Bc of vehicle clogging India's streets and increase demand for electricity and more burning of fossil fuels.

Recovering Ozone Layer
  • Ozone layer = concentration of molecules (ozone), which contain three atoms of oxygen.
  • O.L. shields Earth from much of the Sun's UV (ultraviolet radiation)
  • In 1970's, scientists recorded a steady decline of ozone, due to release of chemicals.
  • In recent years, there are signs that the ozone layer is beginning to recover.

]]> 2022-02-10 06:09:20 UTC https://padlet.com/cruickshanksop/ag27jkys2gmlcuv0/wish/2039561761 Water Degradation cruickshanksop https://padlet.com/cruickshanksop/ag27jkys2gmlcuv0/wish/2041571713 Water Degradation:
The quality and quantity of clean fresh water in many places being significantly reduced.

  • Pollution from farms entering water, causing damage.
  • Highest demand for fresh water is for irrigating farms to grow food - in Aus. 70% water extracted = for farming.
  • Water bodies becoming degraded bc too much water extracted - led to shrinking lakes and increased salinity.

Damming the Rivers
  • Out of 292 large river systems, two-thirds have been changed by dams and reservoirs. 
  • Dams disrupt flow of water and ecosystem services, cause floods, and stops water from reaching other areas. 
  • Natural interaction between rivers + coastal ecosystems is degraded bc less nutrients, water, + sediment reach the river mouth and sea.

Pollutants in our Water
  • Water pollution = contamination of water areas/ bodies.
  • Result of human activities, such as shipping, fishing, oil drilling, use of fertilisers and pesticides in farming, littering, clearing land, tips/ landfill, sewage, industrial activities. 
  • Devastating effects on people (no drinkable water), and aquatic animals (health issues and numbers decrease).
  • Water pollution can contribute to widespread food shortages and famine.

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