Soil Conservation

How do we use the land to change the land? Mining Agriculture – crops, pastures for animals Development – the construction of homes, offices, stores, roads etc.

How can soil be lost or damaged? Exhausted – soil loses fertility because crops are planted year after year. Polluted – mining, chemical spills, HUMANS Erosion – wind, water Land Degradation (aka desertification) – a once wet area, undergoes drought conditions OR grazing animals OR cutting trees http://www.gly.uga.edu/railsback/CTW/ChinaDesertification.jpeg

Soil Damage water Rills

Soil Damage water Rills

Soil Damage water Gully

Soil Damage – Wind Erosion Dust Bowl

What is soil conservation? Soil conservation is the management of soil to prevent destruction. Contour Plowing Crop Rotation Terracing No-Till Farming Windbreaks Cover Crop

Contour Plowing Plowing fields along curves of SMALL slopes

Terracing Changes one field into a series of smaller, flatter fields STEEP slope

Terracing Changes one field into a series of smaller, flatter fields STEEP slope

No-Till Farming Dead weeds and stalks are left in the ground from year to year

Cover Crops- crops that are planted between harvests to replace certain nutrients and reduce erosion.

Crop Rotation Plant different crops in a field from year to year

Windbreak Trees planted along the edge of a field

HOME/INDUSTRIAL METHODS

Home Methods Mulch or pine straw keeps the soil covered and keeps water or wind from eroding the soil

Home Methods Silt fences help keep soil from washing away during construction

Home Methods Retaining walls keep soil from washing down a slope

Home Methods Watering bare soil to prevent rain erosion or wind erosion

Home Methods Covering the ground with plants or rocks prevents erosion

Grammy and Pa wrote to me asking for help Grammy and Pa wrote to me asking for help. This is a picture of their field. They have to stop erosion or they will go bankrupt. Please give them three techniques to help save their farm.

BOGGLE REVIEW GAME 2 minutes Study your notes 2 minutes Record ANYTHING you remember about soil 2 minutes Share with your partner. Add new information to your list. 2 minutes Leave your partner. Compare with another student. Receive a point for each fact you have that the other student does not have. 2 minutes Add up your score. Share in a large group facts for which you got points.