Final answer:
Human activities can accelerate erosion rates to levels 10 times higher than natural rates, leading to significant environmental and economic impacts. Measures like revegetation and sustainable agriculture can mitigate these effects while also contributing to carbon sequestration.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is true that erosion rates from human activities can be significantly higher than natural erosion rates. Human-induced erosion can occur at rates that are 10 times higher or more when compared with natural erosion processes. Human activities such as deforestation, intensive agriculture, and construction can leave soil exposed and more susceptible to erosion. This leads to soil degradation and loss at an accelerated pace, impacting both natural ecosystems and human economies.
Apart from the loss of vegetative cover like forests, the expansion of farming and improper land-use practices can greatly increase erosion. The effects of this are seen worldwide, such as in China, where rapid economic growth has come at the cost of severe soil erosion and other environmental issues. Moreover, erosion can have indirect effects like the burial of coral reefs by sediments, which can cause high mortality rates in marine ecosystems.
Considering the importance of soil conservation, measures can be implemented to reduce the rate of erosion, such as using soil-friendly agricultural practices and revegetation programs. These not only help in mitigating erosion but also sequester carbon dioxide, thus offsetting a portion of global fossil fuel emissions.