Impact of Anthropogenic Activities on Soil Patterns and Diversity

Abstract

The impact of anthropogenic activities on soil characteristic properties is a great concern worldwide. The human impact is putting pressure on land use due to increasing population and growing food demands. Removal of top fertile layer due to human interventions creates a major threat on soil fertility, crop productivity, green forest cover, environment balance, etc. There is tremendous damage to soil resources in recent years due to change in land use and land cover methods. Due to urbanization and industrialization, there is extensive land covering for making buildings, industrial setups, and construction of roads. The subsequent changes in soil–landscape pattern are altering soil structure and properties. The rate of soil weathering and formation has altered. There is increase in rate of podzolization, laterization, and acidity of soil. In this chapter, an attempt has been made to study the impact of anthropogenic activities on soil ecosystem integrity including global soil pattern, soil profile, and physicochemical and biological parameters.