What is land degradation, what are the causes and measures to control land degradation, and what steps need to be taken to reclaim the lost land, and what is bauxite? and its uses.

Land degradation is a process in which the quality, as well as quantity of the land, is affected by a combination of human and natural factors.it is the gradual destruction or degeneration of the land resource by human activities, animals, or natural means for example water and wind.it is also viewed as any change or disturbance to the land perceived to be harmful or undesirable to living organisms. the major agent of land degradation is the human being himself.

Land degradation is a burning topic due to the implications upon agricultural productivity. the environment and food security.it is estimated that up to 40% of the world's agricultural land is seriously degraded. land degradation is caused by water, wind, and unscientific agricultural practices. chemical degradation results from agricultural, industrial, mining, or commercial activities. biological degradation(loss of arable land)is induced by urban sprawl, land use constraints due to armed conflicts.

CAUSES

Land degradation is a global problem and is caused by a host of activities mainly induced by humans:
Land clearance such as clearcutting and deforestation.
Depletion of soil nutrients through poor farming practices.
Overgrazing and overdrafting.
Inappropriate irrigation.
Urban sprawl and commercial development.
Soil contamination.
Vehicle off-roading.
Quarrying of stone, sand, and minerals.
Increase in field size, and reducing shelter for wildlife.
Exposure of soil to heavy equipment in the post-harvesting period.
Monoculture, destabilizing the local ecosystem.

Dumping of none_biodegradable trash, such as plastics in the fields.

Measures to control land degradation

The mounting population and advanced standards of living have resulted in an ever-increasing demand for residential land both in villages and towns. cities and towns should grow vertically rather than horizontally. the land is needed to develop industry, commerce, transport, and recreational facilities.

Because of mounting pressure on land for numerous purposes, it is customary to plan appropriate use of all the obtainable land. this may be done by following measures to control soil erosion, desertification, etc.

Besides, some of the barren lands may be brought under different uses. likewise, with the help of up_to_date and scientific methods of farming productivity of land can also be increased. All endeavors should be made to strike a balance amongst diverse use of land.

The steps that need to be taken to reclaim the lost land are:

Integrated land and water is user management.
A comprehensive approach for formulation of policies in different areas such as food security, forests .soil conservation, and water resources.
Involvement of the local communities at every stage in the implementation of the projects.
Judicious management of irrigation with a reduction in wastage.
Prevention strategies_mitigating the erosional impact of rain and wind
Wasteland reclamation.

What is bauxite?

Bauxite is the main ore of aluminum. bauxite deposits are formed by the decomposition of rock rich in aluminum silicates. aluminum is a very light, yet strong metal with many uses.it is used for making pots and pans because it is a good conductor of heat aluminum being a good conductor of electricity and used to make electrical wires. aluminum Is used to make cans for various beverages and other liquids.it can be pressed into a thin foil that is used both commercially and in homes for wrapping foods for storage because aluminum is light and strong, it is widely used in airplanes and spacecraft. it can be made even stronger by mixing it with other metals to form alloys. duralumin is such an alloy.it is used on the outer surfaces of many airplanes. the bodies and parts of some automobiles, trucks, boats, and trains are made from aluminum alloy.