Final answer:
Soil erosion is primarily caused by agricultural practices, such as deforestation, overgrazing, and improper plowing, which leave the soil exposed and vulnerable. These practices, driven by the need to increase food production, result in soil degradation, loss of productivity, and desertification.
Step-by-step explanation:
Soil erosion is primarily caused by agricultural practices. This includes the clearing of land, which removes the protective cover of vegetation and exposes the soil to wind and water erosion. Practices such as overgrazing, deforestation, improper plowing methods, and the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides all contribute to soil erosion. The overuse and mismanagement of these practices have led to loss of soil productivity, desertification, and increased salinity in soils, especially in highly-irrigated farming areas. The soil erosion problem is exacerbated by the fact that increased demands for food production due to population growth spur more intensive and damaging farming methods, as seen historically in initiatives like the Green Revolution.