1. EQ: Why is soil a valuable resource?
Soil Conservation
EQ: Why is soil a valuable resource?

2. EQ: Why is soil a valuable resource?
The Value of Soil
Everything that lives on land depends on soil either directly or indirectly
Fertile soil is valuable because it is limited in supply
Less than 1/8 of the Earth’s soil is suitable for farming
EQ: Why is soil a valuable resource?

3. EQ: Why is soil a valuable resource?
Soil Damage and Loss
Soil Loss
Over farmed by the same crops
Erosion by wind and water
Loss of plant cover
EQ: Why is soil a valuable resource?

4. George Washington Carver
Scientist from the early 1900’s, Alabama
Developed new crops and farming methods that helped restore farming fertility to the South
Planted peanuts in cotton fields to replace soil nutrients
EQ: Why is soil a valuable resource?

5. EQ: Why is soil a valuable resource?
Dust Bowl
Cause- plowing removed prairie grass from the Great Plains and exposed the soil
Then a drought occurred turning the topsoil to dust
Wind started blowing soil across the country

6. EQ: Why is soil a valuable resource?
Soil Conservation
Soil Conservation – management of soil to prevent its destruction
Ways to conserve soil
Contour plowing – plowing land along curves of a slope; slows runoff and prevents soil from washing away
Conservation Plowing – disturbs the soil and plant cover as little as possible; leave dead weeds and stalks in ground to help return nutrients to the soil
Planting wind screens
EQ: Why is soil a valuable resource?

7. Class Work and Homework
Fill In What did I learn Confused Say Read pages G 57 – G 60, questions 1-4 Documentary
EQ: Why is soil a valuable resource?