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25 soil surface to erosion, which leads to the loss of the fertile topsoil. Soil compaction, as a result of excessive soil tillage operations and animal grazing, results in poor crop rooting and water infiltration. Biological degradation is mainly connected to the decline of soil organic matter, which in turn impacts other soil biological, chemical, and physical processes and properties. Chemical degradation includes nutrient depletion and loss of organic matter, salinization, acidification, and chemical pollution.