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soil pollution

Soil | Land

Soil loss by water erosion

Figure 2. Potato dams in the downslope direction force soil loss by water.

Uncovered soils are exposed unprotected to the energy of water during heavy and prolonged rainfall. The water transports the soil irretrievably downhill. As a result, fertile soil is lost, and therefore the yielding capacity on arable land. In addition, the eroded material and the absorbed nutrients and pollutants can pollute neighboring water bodies.

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Soil | Land

FAQs

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Soil | Land

Pressures on soil

Photo of concrete slabs with gras growing through

It’s no exaggeration to say that Germany’s land undergoes all manner of abuse on a daily basis, ranging from contaminant and nutrient inputs to road and housing construction and erosion. Moreover, climate change has a devastating effect on soil ecology, which can also be degraded by intensive farming.

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