• Around the world about 5 million hectares of forest is converted for agricultural use every year

• there is a strong link between deforestation and poverty

• seeds are thrown into the warm ashes and in this way a forest has been converted into a farm

• this can impact on the ability of the soil to hold water and can pollute water ways and coast

• and insects also pollute the air, soil and water and make you native plants and animals

Examples around the world

• A example is Madagascar

• this means getting rid of forests to make farms and towns

• the soil will break down and wash away

• it is estimated that 75 billion tons of fertilized soil has been lost every year

  
  

  Salinity

• salinity is a condition where the amount of salt causes problems in the soil and impacts the environment

• it is mainly caused by humans

• it kills up to 2 million hectares virtually killing all plant life

Examples around the world

A rice field in mu cang chai/vietnam

Water pollution from farming

• The water that is used on farms eventually flows through soil and rocks

• Bare soil that is not protected by plants or there roots can be washed away

• Fertilisers such as nitrogen, phosphorus and animal manure can be used to keep the soil healthy

Changing natural water flows

• In many places around the world rivers are dammed to make large reservoir which can be used for irrigation

• Most water is used for farming

A example of this

Australian Murray river

• desertification is affecting millions of people all around the world

• desertification makes all the soil become dry

• humans can make this happen by making food and raising livestock

• overgrazing happens from animals, cattle, and goats

• there are many effects of desertification: sandstorms,crop loss, famine

• about 12 million hectares of land is losed every year