Land reclamation also known as land fill. It is the process of creating new land from ocean, riverbeds, or lake beds. The land reclaimed is known as reclamation ground or land fill.
The term “reclamation” also refers to returning disturbed land to an improved state. It is the process of reconverting disturbed land to its former or other productive uses. This can also be referred to as land rehabilitation.
Methods of Land Reclamation
- Afforestation
- Sand Filling
- Construction of Drainage
- Control of Erosion
- Construction of Barriers
Land reclamation can be achieved with a number of different methods. The most simple method involves filling the area with large amounts of heavy rock and cement, then filling it with clay and dirt until the desired height is reached. The process is called “infilling” and the material used to fill the space is generically called “infill”.
Also, draining of submerged wetlands is often used to reclaim land for agricultural use.
A related practice is the draining of swampy or seasonally submerged wetland to convert them to farmland. While this does not create new land exactly, it allows commercially productive use of land that would otherwise be restricted to wildlife habitat. It is also an important method of mosquito control.
Disadvantages of Land Reclamation
- It leads to loss of some organisms and plants due to the destruction of their habitat.
- It changes the drainage pattern.
- It leads to subsidence of the land.
- It can also lead to flooding.
- It makes the land prone to soil liquefaction especially during earthquake.
GENERAL EVALUATION QUESTIONS
- What is land reclamation?
- How can a land be reclaimed?
- State the advantages of land reclamation.
- Mention the disadvantages of reclamation.
- Explain afforestation.
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
Write on places in Nigeria that may require land reclamation or where land reclamation has already taken place.
See also
MAP DISTANCES: FULL EXPLANATION
COMPONENTS OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS)
WEATHER AND CLIMATE: FULL EXPLANATION