Land degradation?

Question

a) The clearing of the land has upset the balance of water in the system. What are two problems which farmers now face as a result of this clearing?

b) Name possible origins of the salt that is present in groundwater apart from rainfall

Answer 1

Clearing of the land of its natural vegetative cover upsets the balance of several systems in addition to the water regime. It loosens the soil and accelerates land erosion. It increases run off and leaching of nutrients. It slows down the rate of recharge of aquifers. so, there are many more than two problems that farmers have to face. But as obviously you want help to answer some set question, two problems which farmers now face ... are:

1. Loss of fertile top soil and higher risks of soil erosion;

2. Moisture stress because of higher run=off.

Salt in ground water may be caused by several reasons. Due to geological factors, rock salt might have formed as a mineral, got dissolved, and accumulated in ground water. Salt containing water might have drained in large quantities and accumulated  in the aquifer.