Loss of topsoil

• Topsoil is the upper layer of soil that contains the most soil nutrients and microorganisms. Loss of topsoil renders the soil infertile
• Intensive agriculture with overgrazing and overexploitation of soil can lead to soil degredation
• Vegetation is destroyed by these poor farming practices and valuable topsoil is removed by wind or water erosion.
• As the organic material is lost with the removal of top soil, the ground is unsuitable for the planting of crops
• More fertilizers are required to prevent the loss of a potential food source and food production costs rise