Chile

The country of Chile is undergoing very serious soil problems of their own. Erosion, desertification, and desert encroachment are all threats to the country. The soil problems surrounding Chile are not to be taken lightly; they grow more devastating every year. Soil erosion and desertification are favored by Chile's incredibly hilly geography (due to the Andes mountain range.) On top of poor geography, heavy mining is crucial to Chile's main exports but the process of mining has the power to obliterate soils.

These problems are being caused by a number of factors. Overgrazing, over-farming, and mining are the three main culprits. Chile overgrazing was a common practice until recently. Now the government has realized it is detrimental to the soil/land when people bring their animals to graze on the same patch of land over and over again; eventually it wears down the vegetation and then the soil, ultimately the fertile soil will be blown away by the wind. The same thing will happen when farmers continuously plow the same field, they may not realize it but they are waring down the soil until it becomes dust.
Mining is a major practice in the country of Chile, unfortunately mining is terrible for the environment. Mining requires the removal of all the vegetation atop of the ground which is crucial to soil. Mining in Chile has also been found to release toxins into the soil through excessive minerals leaching through the mine.

Fortunately, the government of Chile has recognized this environmental problem and is acting to prevent. The government is now urging farmers to adopt a rotational crops system (the movement of crops to different fields so one field may rest and replenish before being used again,) and a rotational grazing system (the movement of animals to different grazing areas to allow grasses to regrow.) The government is also beginning education programs teaching Chilean children the concept of constructing their own gardens and rotating their crops and animals so they can better preserve the future of their soil

Sources:
"Soil Erosion and Its Control in Chile - An Overview." Web. 31 Oct. 2010. .

"Chilean Journal of Agricultural Research - Materia Orgánica Reduce La Toxicidad Del Cobre Para La Lombriz Eiseniafetida En Suelos De Áreas Mineras En Chile Central." SciELO - Scientific Electronic Library Online. Web. 31 Oct. 2010. .