Question

iv. overgrazing
a. refers to ________ grazing heavily on vegetation (
________)
b. can remove the vegetation that ________ the surface of the
______ and leaves it ______.
c. when ________ (which are very good soil binders) are
removed, the soil becomes ________.
d. the ______ soil gets eroded by ____ or ______

v. strip mining
a. process of removing layers of ________ and soil in strips so
as to reach the ________ below.
b. commonly used to mine ________
c. humans tend to ________ the soil surface and also loosen the soil
in this process making it ________ to erosion.

Explanation:

IV. Overgrazing

a.

Overgrazing refers to livestock (like cattle, sheep, etc.) grazing heavily on vegetation. The first blank is for the agent doing the grazing, typically livestock, and the second blank can be "livestock" or a specific type, but generally "livestock" fits. So the first blank: livestock; the second (in parentheses) : livestock (or specific animals like cattle, sheep, etc.).

Vegetation helps protect (or covers/stabilizes) the surface of the land (soil). When overgrazing removes vegetation, it leaves the soil exposed (vulnerable to erosion). So first blank: protects (or covers/stabilizes); second blank: land (soil); third blank: exposed (vulnerable).

Roots of plants are very good soil binders. When roots are removed (due to overgrazing killing plants), the soil becomes loose (unstable, prone to erosion). So first blank: roots; second blank: loose (unstable).

Answer:

First blank: livestock; Parentheses: livestock (or cattle/sheep etc.)

b.