Soil degradation is one of the challenges to sustainable tree plantations that have effects on tree growth, biodiversity, and overall ecosystem stability. The other factors affecting soil deterioration reduce soil productivity and consequently disrupt the ecosystem balance.
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Deforestation: Abandoning any tree for the sake of agriculture or urbanization causes structural problems in soils and degrades organic matter. This ruins the whole purpose of a tree plantation because trees are very significant in ensuring soil stability and fertility.
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Erosion: The deep topsoil, rich in nutrient content, is blown away by wind and washed away by water and difficult for plants to grow. More evidence of tree plantation is void of soil loss when trees take root-they hold the soil and prevent erosion.
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Agrochemical Pollution: Excessive use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers can reduce soil nutrient content. More importantly, they kill beneficial microorganisms. Hence, such degraded soil fetches low production from agricultural activities and drastically disrupts ecosystems, compelling the need for tree plantation in life.
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Soil Compaction: Heavy machinery and overgrazing compact the soil, impeding aeration and infiltration. The resulting poor soil conditions hamper the growth of trees, derailing the purpose of tree plantations-aids in improving greenery and the environment.