Land use change has a big impact on soil quality and the services our ecosystems provide. Let's break this down into simpler parts:
Soil Damage: When we expand agriculture, it causes soil erosion. This means that about 24 billion tons of good soil wash away every year. This loss is like throwing away 30 billion in farming potential.
Loss of Wildlife: When we cut down forests, many animals and plants lose their homes. Each year, over 18 million hectares of forest are lost. This reduces the number of different species we have, which is important for keeping ecosystems healthy.
Soil Pollution: Farming a lot can lead to pollution. It’s estimated that 40% of the land we use for growing food gets polluted by chemicals. This pollution harms the tiny living things in the soil that help with nutrient cycling, which is vital for plant growth.
Less Carbon Storage: Changing how we use land can release carbon that is stored in the environment. When we cut down trees, it adds to about 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. This is a big part of climate change.
All these problems together upset the balance of nature and reduce the important services that ecosystems provide to us.
Land use change has a big impact on soil quality and the services our ecosystems provide. Let's break this down into simpler parts:
Soil Damage: When we expand agriculture, it causes soil erosion. This means that about 24 billion tons of good soil wash away every year. This loss is like throwing away 30 billion in farming potential.
Loss of Wildlife: When we cut down forests, many animals and plants lose their homes. Each year, over 18 million hectares of forest are lost. This reduces the number of different species we have, which is important for keeping ecosystems healthy.
Soil Pollution: Farming a lot can lead to pollution. It’s estimated that 40% of the land we use for growing food gets polluted by chemicals. This pollution harms the tiny living things in the soil that help with nutrient cycling, which is vital for plant growth.
Less Carbon Storage: Changing how we use land can release carbon that is stored in the environment. When we cut down trees, it adds to about 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. This is a big part of climate change.
All these problems together upset the balance of nature and reduce the important services that ecosystems provide to us.