Final answer:
Land degradation is the deterioration of land quality and productivity caused by various factors. Poverty, resource exploitation, oil and gas extraction, mining activities, and deforestation are major causes of land degradation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Land degradation refers to the deterioration of the quality and productivity of land due to various factors such as deforestation and unsustainable farming practices. It leads to the loss of organic matter, disruption of natural nutrient cycles, soil erosion, and salinization. Four major causes of land degradation are poverty and resource exploitation, heavy reliance on oil and gas extraction, mining activities, and deforestation. These factors contribute to pollution, habitat loss, ecosystem destruction, soil erosion, and reduced land fertility.