Relacionar Columnas Enviromental impact. Relief and soilVersión en línea Relief and soil por Gehistart Artgeo 1 Desertification is land degradation, intensified by deforestation, erosion and overexplotation of water resources. The soil's fertility is lost. 2 Soil polution is the result of chemical waste substances. As a consequence, the soil become toxic. 3 Natural erosion is increased by human activity such as deforestation, farming, excessive grazing of pastureland and the use of heavy machinery 4 Some mines, quarries and transport infrastructure alter the relief. The landscape is marred and its economic value is lost. 5 Coastal relief is also altered by the construction of housing developments and marinas.