What can result from soil disturbance?

Soil disturbance can lead to the creation of dust and the exposure of weed seeds, which is a significant consequence of disrupting the soil's surface. When soil is disturbed—through activities like plowing, grading, or other forms of mechanical manipulation—it can break up the soil structure and make it more prone to erosion by wind and other elements. This process can cause fine particles to be lifted into the air, leading to dust problems.

Additionally, disturbance can bring buried weed seeds to the surface, where they can germinate and compete with desired plants for resources like light, water, and nutrients. This risk of increased weed proliferation is particularly important in the context of land management and agriculture, as it can complicate efforts to manage landscapes effectively.

While the other options present some plausible outcomes of soil management or cultivation practices, they do not directly relate to the immediate and observable results of soil disturbance in the same way that the creation of dust and exposure of weed seeds do. For example, increased moisture retention and reduced need for irrigation may result from practices aimed at improving soil health, but they are not direct consequences of disturbance. Similarly, improved animal habitats may not inherently result from the act of disturbing soil, as such practices can often lead to habitat destruction instead.