degradation

Degradation is the decline of quality or function of a system over time due to stressors. It can be physical, biological, chemical, social, or economic. In environmental contexts, degradation refers to the reduction in the health, productivity, or diversity of ecosystems, such as soil degradation from erosion and compaction, water degradation from pollution and eutrophication, or deforestation leading to loss of habitat and carbon storage. Causes include overuse, pollution, climate change, invasive species, and poor land management. Indicators include decreased soil organic matter, reduced crop yields, and biodiversity loss. Mitigation involves sustainable land management, pollution control, restoration efforts, and policy measures.

In materials science and engineering, degradation describes the deterioration of materials and structures due to corrosion, wear, fatigue, UV exposure, chemical attack, or radiation. It reduces strength, reliability, and lifespan, and is addressed by material choice, protective coatings, design for durability, maintenance, and monitoring.

In social and economic contexts, degradation denotes the erosion of social conditions, institutions, or economic welfare, such as urban decay, poverty persistence, or erosion of civic trust. Causes often include conflict, unequal distribution of resources, and governance failures. Responses include economic development, social programs, and governance reforms.

In information technology, data degradation or bit rot refers to the loss or corruption of digital information over time due to storage media failure, environmental factors, or software obsolescence. Mitigation includes regular backups, redundancy, error-correcting codes, and refreshing data to newer formats.