GEOG 106 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Soil, Landslide, Parent Material
Document Summary
Topography is the main determinant of the lands capacity to support land use. Construction and maintenance costs for building and transportation systems are far greater in rugged terrain than on flatter land mechanized agriculture is limited to land with gentle slopes. China has been successful in agriculture on steep slopes with massive and skilful effort depends on careful management by farmers. Slope failure such as landslides and heavy erosion is likely on steep slopes where vegetation has been removed and the ground has been disturbed by construction or ploughing. The relationship between land use and terrain is breaking down and the principle cause is population pressure and the need to use hill slopes for agriculture. Not only are forest and farmland lost but streams in the valley are loaded with excessive runoff and sediment, resulting in damage to traditional farmland on the valley floors.
