Soil erosion has ravaged a large part of the continent.
Soils in South AmericaSoils in South America.
According to some estimates, in several countries half or more of the presently arable land has been severely damaged or ruined by poor land management. In the Andes, land that once produced high yields of wheat is now abandoned. Mountain forests are still cleared for cattle grazing and cultivation, which greatly accelerates erosion and ruins the soil of the region for years thereafter. Soil damage has been less severe in areas of relatively flat terrain. Campaigns for soil conservation or restoration have been implemented in most countries.