Both climate and erosion have been linked to impacts on soil quality leading to impacts on food security. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayIn terms of agriculture, climate change will affect agricultural production because changes in soil, air temperature, and precipitation all affect the ability of crops to reach maturity and their potential yield. As the climate warms, the reduction in the amount of available water may initially be compensated for by irrigation, however water scarcity may prevent its use for irrigation. This increases land damage, or land degradation, which will manifest itself in the form of soil erosion, desertification, salinisation or peat loss. This further impacts the ability of soils to support agricultural needs. As the climate changes, the ability of soil to support current ecosystems will also change: this will lead to changes in the plant communities that grow in different parts of the world. For example, in some places plants suited to wetter conditions may lose out to plants that can cope with drier conditions. Likewise, soil erosion will impact soil quality. Soil erosion is defined as the wearing away of the top layer of soil (topsoil). It is the most fertile layer of soil because it contains the most organic and nutrient-rich materials. It is this layer that farmers want to protect to grow their crops and graze their animals. Soil is eroded by both water and wind. Rain and rainwater runoff, particularly strong ones, cause the water to break down in the ground, dispersing the materials it is made of. Secondly, agriculture, when land is worked through crops or other agricultural processes, reduces the overall structure of the soil, as well as reducing levels of organic matter, making it more susceptible to the effects of rain and water. Slope of the land and lack of vegetation can also have a large impact on the soil, land with steep slopes will perpetuate the process of saturation of stormwater and runoff in the area. Plants and crops help maintain soil structure, reducing the amount of soil erosion, areas with less natural vegetation can help make soil more prone to erosion. Finally, wind can be a major factor in reducing soil quality and promoting erosion, particularly if soil structure has already been loosened. The largest effect of soil erosion is the loss of topsoil, topsoil being so fertile that, if removed, it can cause serious damage to farmers' crops or ability to work their land effectively. Soil Compaction: When soil becomes compacted and rigid it reduces the ability of water to infiltrate these deeper levels, maintaining runoff at higher levels, which increases the risk of more severe erosion. The reduction of organic and fertile matter can also be a consequence of soil erosion leading to a lack of food security. Removing topsoil reduces the soil's ability to regenerate new vegetation or crops. When these new plants and crops cannot be successfully placed in the area, this perpetuates a cycle of reduced organic nutrient levels. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get an essay.