Analysis of Soil Degradation and its impact on US Agriculture

This report examines the degradation of soil quality in the United States, particularly focusing on the impact of agricultural practices. The report highlights the effects of excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides on soil composition, nutrient levels, and overall health. It discusses how chemical fertilizers can lead to soil acidification and a reduction in organic matter, while pesticides further degrade the soil's properties. The report emphasizes the vulnerability of the Ultisol, a soil type prevalent in the southern US, and its susceptibility to these negative impacts. The author references studies that explore these issues, including the impact of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and the need for sustainable practices. The report concludes by reiterating the significant effects of these practices, and how they degrade soil quality.

1
Geography
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7th February 2020

2
Geography
The ultisol in the south of the United States is of low quality due to human activities in
agriculture. I think that the actions of the United States farmers in using pesticides and fertilizers
have greatly affected the quality of the soil. The chemical products influence the soil
composition in terms of the nutrients present in the soil. The chemical qualities of the soil are
affected by the fertilizers that are added to it (Gautam, 2019). Overuse of chemical fertilizers
poses the danger of excessive acidification of the soil. A decrease in the organic matter of the
soil may result due to the use of chemical fertilizers in the soil. The topsoil is damaged over an
extended period when nitrogen is overused. The result is a low yield of the crops.
The ultisol is naturally suitable for agriculture and forestry. When lime fertilizers are
applied to the soil it supports agricultural activities suitably. There are also other chemicals such
as pesticides that are used by the farmers in the southern parts of the United States. These
chemicals degrade the soil of its properties by creating an imbalance in the composition of the
nutrients available. The soil then loses its properties as new compounds and elements are added
continuously (Zhu, et.al, 2019). Some of the chemicals are taken by the runoff water to the soil.
In conclusion, I think the properties of the ultisol are being degraded by agricultural activities.
Overuse of fertilizers and chemicals are degrading the ultisol of its properties and abilities to
support forestry. The topsoil is affected significantly by the use of fertilizers and chemicals.

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References
Gautam, A. (2019). Long-Term Impacts of Manure and Inorganic Fertilization on Soil Physical,
Chemical and Biological Properties. Retrieved from:
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4682&context=etd
Zhu, X., Liu, W., Chen, J., Bruijnzeel, L.A., Mao, Z., Yang, X., Cardinael, R., Meng, F.R., Sidle,
R.C., Seitz, S. & Nair, V. D. (2019). Reductions in water, soil and nutrient losses and
pesticide pollution in agroforestry practices: a review of evidence and processes. Plant
and Soil, 1-42. Retrievd from:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Remi_Cardinael/publication/337543298_Reductions
_in_water_soil_and_nutrient_losses_and_pesticide_pollution_in_agroforestry_practices_
a_review_of_evidence_and_processes/links/5dde90e94585159aa44e2758/Reductions-in-
water-soil-and-nutrient-losses-and-pesticide-pollution-in-agroforestry-practices-a-review-
of-evidence-and-processes.pdf