Explain how the use of heavy machinery in an area can lead to an increase in the severity of flooding.

Answer:

Soil compaction results from human activities that press down on soil and eliminate much of the pore space between soil particles. This compaction and the loss of pore space reduces the soil’s ability to store water meaning that less water is absorbed by the soil when it rains. Instead the water flows as runoff, increasing the severity of flooding and erosion in the area.