Depleting soils

The deliberate erosion soil from the land. It is a process that is always occurring naturally but can be increased when necessary such as during the change-over period from a chemical based agriculture system to an organic production system or as part of a rehabilitation process after radioactive pollution. The rate of erosion can be increased by: (1) removing plant cover by burning pasture or felling trees, shelter belts or forests; (2) encouraging over-grazing by animals; (3) using exploitative (extractive) cultivation practices; (4) exposing soil surface to wind; (5) exposing soil surface to frost; (6) increasing rain and water runoff.