The rate at which the ground is disturbed by human activities is known as ground disturbance. Ground disturbance is the process whereby surface-level soil is displaced or otherwise modified by human activities. Ground disturbances can be caused by natural processes (e.g. wind, water), human activities (e.g. construction, mining), or a combination of these. Ground disturbances can occur on land, at sea, or in lakes and rivers. Ground disturbances can have significant consequences for human health and ecosystems. Ground disturbances can lead to pollution of surface water bodies, loss of habitat for sensitive species, and reduced carbon storage. Ground disturbances can occur at any scale, from the movement of sand by an individual walking across a beach to the construction of a large-scale mine or highway project. The scale and frequency of ground disturbances are important considerations in any risk assessment or management decision regarding potential effects on human health or natural resources. The following text describes some examples of ground disturbances and illustrates their potential impacts on human health and ecosystems.
What is Ground Disturbance?
Ground disturbance is a process whereby surface-level soil is displaced or otherwise modified by human activities. This can be in the form of surface erosion or subsidence, where soil is carried away or reduced underground. Ground disturbances can occur on land, at sea, or in lakes and rivers. Ground disturbances can have significant consequences for human health and ecosystems. Ground disturbances can lead to pollution of surface water bodies, loss of habitat for sensitive species, and reduced carbon storage. Ground disturbances can occur at any scale, from the movement of sand by an individual walking across a beach to the construction of a large-scale mine or highway project. The scale and frequency of ground disturbances are important considerations in any risk assessment or management decision regarding potential effects on human health or natural resources.
Aquatic Ground Disturbance
Aquatic ground disturbances can result from construction, dredging, mining, or navigation activities. For example, the construction of large channels through mangroves can cause significant damage to the mangrove community. Dredging operations in shallow water can cause significant impacts to seabeds and nearby wetlands. Tidal navigation channels can reduce tidal discharge and alter the flow of estuarine waters. In addition to direct damage, aquatic ground disturbances can also have secondary effects, such as habitat degradation, changes in ecosystem productivity, and alterations in the cycling of nutrients and materials.
Land-Based Ground Disturbance
Land-based ground disturbances can occur along construction sites, through agricultural practices, or in mining operations. Development of a major highway through an environmentally sensitive area, for example, can have major impacts on nearby wetlands, wildlife, and other sensitive species. Road construction can cause significant and lasting damage to riparian ecosystems, leading to degradation or loss of floodplain functions such as wetland habitat, flood protection, and fish spawning and rearing areas. Road construction can also cause significant damage to nearby wetlands and floodplains through the direct impacts of grading and compaction. Road construction can also result in the loss of nearby vegetation and the introduction of contaminants such as sand and soil into the surrounding environment.
Summary
Ground disturbances can occur at any scale, from the movement of sand by an individual walking across a beach to the construction of a large-scale mine or highway project. The scale and frequency of ground disturbances are important considerations in any risk assessment or management decision regarding potential effects on human health or natural resources. Ground disturbances can occur on land, at sea, or in lakes and rivers. Ground disturbances can have significant consequences for human health and ecosystems.