Climate change and human activity like overgrazing of grasslands is leading to large areas subject to "desertification" where native grass cover dies out during drought periods, exposing soil to erosion. What is potentially the greatest initial soil erosion potential during this type of an event?
A) loss of topsoil by wind erosion on a large scale
B) local gullying produced by intermittent rain storms
C) growth of shrubs shading the ground, further killing the grasses
D) sand blown in from adjacent deserts

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

During a drought when grass cover dies out, the soil is left exposed to strong winds which can cause large-scale wind erosion and loss of topsoil. This can have a devastating impact on the ecosystem, making it difficult for new plants to establish and increasing the risk of desertification. Local gullying produced by intermittent rainstorms and the growth of shrubs shading the ground are also concerns, but they are not as significant as the potential for topsoil loss through wind erosion. Sand blown in from adjacent deserts is not a factor in this scenario as the desertification is caused by the loss of native grass cover.

Climate Change and Human Activity Like Overgrazing of Grasslands Is