1. Soil Conservation Notes

2. What is Soil Conservation?
Soil is a nonrenewable natural resource that is necessary for plant growth. We must conserve our soil. Soil conservation is a method to maintain the fertility of the soil by protecting the soil from erosion and loss of nutrients.

3. Why Should We
Conserve Soil?
1. Soil provides habitats for animals. 2. Soil provides a storage place for water. 3. Soil provides nutrients for plant growth.

4. Is Soil Loss a Big Problem?
Soil loss is a serious problem around the world Soil can be damaged from overuse by poor farming techniques or overgrazing (allowing farm animals to eat all the plants on a piece of land). Overused soil can lose its nutrients and become infertile. Without plants and moisture, the soil can be eroded (blown or washed away). Plant roots help prevent erosion by holding the soil in place.

5. How Can We Conserve Soil?
Written Description
A farmer plows across the slope of a hill (instead of down the hill in straight lines)
How It Helps Conserve Soil
It helps prevent erosion from heavy rain
Contour
Plowing

6. How Can We Conserve Soil?
Written Description
Change a really steep hill into smaller, flatter fields (like steps)
How It Helps Conserve Soil
It helps prevent erosion from heavy rain on steep hills
Terrace
Farming

7. How Can We Conserve Soil?
Written Description
Crops planted between harvests (examples: peanuts and soybeans)
How It Helps Conserve Soil
They restore (return) important nutrients to soil and prevent erosion
Cover
Crops

8. How Can We Conserve Soil?
How It Helps Conserve Soil
A different crop will use up less nutrients or different nutrients
Written Description
A farmer plants different crops every other year
Crop
Rotation