Which of the following are responsible for soil degradation? 1. Soil erosion 2. Desertification 3. Mulching 4. Salinization Select the correct answer from the code given below.

✅ Explanation
Soil degradation is defined as a change in the soil health status, resulting in a diminished capacity of the ecosystem to provide goods and services for its beneficiaries. Degraded soils have such a health status that they do not provide the normal goods and services of the particular soil in its ecosystem. Some of the issues associated with soil degradation are:

🌿 Soil Erosion:
→ Soil erosion is the process by which soil particles and aggregates are removed and lost from their point of origin by wind, water, or mass wasting from gravitational forces.
→ Hence, statement 1 is correct.

🌵 Desertification:
→ It refers to the persistent degradation of dryland ecosystems by climatic variations and human activities.
→ Hence, statement 2 is correct.

💧 Salinization:
→ Salinization is the increase of salt concentration in soil, often caused by dissolved salts in the water supply.
→ Hence, statement 4 is correct.

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📌 Other Options Explanations
Mulching:
→ Mulching is the practice of covering the soil surfaces with mulch, a protective layer of material spread on top of the soil.
→ Mulches can be either organic (e.g., grass clippings, straw, bark chips) or inorganic (e.g., stones, brick chips, plastic).
→ Mulches conserve soil moisture, enhance the nutrient status of soil, control erosion losses, suppress weeds in crop plants, and remove residual effects of pesticides, fertilizers, and heavy metals.
→ Mulches also improve the aesthetic value of landscapes and the economic value of crops.
→ Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.