Final answer:
Soil can be threatened or lost through erosion, pollution, and desertification.
Step-by-step explanation:
Soil can be threatened or lost through various means:
- Erosion: Soil erosion occurs when topsoil is carried away by water or wind, often due to deforestation, improper land use, or intense rainfall. This results in the loss of fertile soil.
- Pollution: Soil can be polluted by the dumping of hazardous substances, such as chemicals or heavy metals. This contamination can render the soil unusable for agriculture or harm the organisms living in the soil.
- Desertification: This process occurs in arid or semi-arid areas where soil becomes degraded, losing its fertility and ability to support plant life. Overgrazing, climate change, and poor irrigation practices contribute to desertification.
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