Which term describes loss of topsoil due to erosion?

• A. Erosion of topsoil
• B. Landslides
• C. Water contamination
• D. Biodiversity loss

Answer: (A)

Loss of the fertile upper layer of soil due to the movement of soil particles by wind and water is called soil erosion, and when we specifically refer to the topsoil, we speak of erosion of topsoil. Topsoil is the layer that holds most of the nutrients plants need, so its removal reduces soil depth and fertility, making farming harder and more vulnerable to drought or flood. Landslides involve sudden downslope movement of soil and rock driven by gravity, which is a different process from everyday soil erosion across fields. Water contamination describes pollutants entering water bodies, not the physical loss of soil. Biodiversity loss refers to declines in species and ecosystems, not the removal of soil itself. In practice, soil erosion remains a key challenge for agricultural productivity and food security in humanitarian contexts.