What is a listed consequence of overgrazing?

• A. The ground is malnourished
• B. Increased soil fertility
• C. Denser vegetation
• D. Stabilized soil

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is how excessive grazing damages soil and plant cover, leading to degraded ground. When too many animals feed in one area, plants can’t regrow quickly enough and the protective vegetation cover disappears. Without that cover, the soil is more exposed to erosion and compaction from hooves, which reduces organic matter and nutrients in the topsoil. That combination—loss of plant material, soil compaction, and nutrient depletion—leads to ground that is malnourished, meaning poor soil health and fertility.

That’s why the listed consequence is ground becoming malnourished. Overgrazing tends to lower soil fertility rather than increase it, so increased soil fertility isn’t expected. It also reduces vegetation density, not increases it, and it undermines soil stability rather than stabilizing it.