What connection is between poor soil and deforestation? What is desertification?

1 Answer
Dec 14, 2016

Trees prevent soil from blowing and washing away.

Explanation:

When there are fewer trees to prevent erosion by holding soil in place with their roots, more soil washes and blows away. This reduces the soil available for trees to grow in, which further reduces the trees which grow in an area.

This is positive feedback control, and when it goes on for too long it leads to desertification, which is a condition under which the land is barren and trees can't grow.