Land degradation in Australia is a very serious and difficult environmental problem, as Australia is dependent on agricultural practices. (See land use in Australia.) Urban sprawl, land pollution, salinisation, and soil erosion may cause Land degradation after land clearing, or waterlogging through changes to the water table. Deforestation is a major issue that dramatically affects the land quality in Australia, as much of the native vegetation is replaced with insufficient ground cover used for various uses. One of the possible solutions could be to use genetically modified foods.
             Deforestation has been occurring for thousands of years. The lands used for cultivating crops worldwide were once forests. Humans have logged trees for a number of reasons, which include the need for timber, and space for agriculture, towns and cities. Though as it is a long-term effect it is very hard to reverse. This is because many environmental factors are caused over long periods of time, and then, once identified, will take a long time to solve.
             Urban sprawl is when cities expand from overpopulation and join adjacent towns and suburbs. The main problem associated with urbanisation is how most urban areas cannot support themselves. They only survive by importing food, water, energy, minerals and other resources whilst polluting enormous quantities of waste products that are produced. (See Typical Daily Inputs and Outputs of Matter and Energy for a U.S city of 1 million people.) Most urban areas have very little natural vegetation to absorb the air pollution, and to give out fresh oxygen; this isn't a good thing, as these areas produce large quantities of air pollution, water pollution, and solid wastes. Recycling is one of the environmental benefits of urbanisation because of the large amount of recycling materials in a concentrated area. This also reduces the stress on wildlife habitats, and therefore helps to preserve biodiversity.
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