Table 3 Soil degradation classes and rates
From: Assessment of land degradation and implications on agricultural land in Qalyubia Governorate, Egypt
Chemical degradation | Salinization (Cs) increase in (EC) per dS/m/year | Alkalization (Ca) increase in ESP%/year |
Non to slight | < 0.5 | < 0.5 |
Moderate | 0.5–3 | 0.5–3 |
High | 3–5 | 3–7 |
Very high | > 5 | > 7 |
Physical degradation | Compaction/increase in bulk density per g/cm3/year | Water logging/increase in water table in cm/year |
Non to slight | < 0.1 | < 1 |
Moderate | 0.1–0.2 | 1–3 |
High | 0.2–0.3 | 3–5 |
Very high | > 0.3 | > 5 |