Your gateway to a wide range of natural resources information and associated maps

Victorian Resources Online

Soil Degradation

Soil erosion | Soil degradation | Ecosystem decline

Soil degradation occurs where our activities (either directly or indirectly) cause soil to become less vigorous or less healthy.

Soil degradation includes the following:


Examples of soil degradation - Soil Salinity
Bare ground produced by salt accumulation with erosion occurring as a consequence

Soil salinity

Soil salinity is the accumulation of salts in a soil profile such that it limits plant growth. Additional information about the process of
soil salinity is available on the VRO website.
Examples of soil degradation - Compaction
Photograph of a compacted zone of soil immediately below the plough layer in a cropping soil

Compaction

Compaction is where soil particles pack together increasing soil density and reducing pore space. Trafficking (by animals as well as by vehicles) and cultivation are the primary causes of this form of soil degradation. Additional information about the process of
compaction is available on the VRO website.
Examples of soil degradation - Acidification
A diagrammatic representation of the causes of soil acidity showing the importance of product removal and nitrate leaching in the process

Acidification

Acidification is a decrease in soil pH that usually results in a reduction in plant vigour. Additional information about the process of acidification is available on the VRO website.
Examples of soil degradation - Water Logging
Photograph of an area of waterlogged soil in a flat landscape with free water building-up on the soil surface
Waterlogging

Waterlogging is where water saturates the profile usually due to reduction in infiltration and transmission of water into soil. Additional information about the process of
waterlogging is available on the VRO website.
Page top