1. Discussion and Activity Environmental Science

2.  Soil Particles  Water Films and Trapped Gases in Pores  Solids and Aggregates

3.  Water Movement affects:  A. Detachment  B. Transport  C. Deposition

4. Rill and Inter-rill Gully (most aggressive) Splash

8. Physical and Chemical Weathering Wind and Water Mixtures and Solvents

9. Rocks and Minerals Living Organisms = worms, bacteria, insects, fungi Decayed Organics= plants and animals Aggregates= rocks and pebbles Moisture Trapped Gases= air, methane, others

10. LOAM is best For SOIL FERTILITY

11. Soil Type Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium pH Garden (J) trace very high8 Garden (R) tracehigh+ very high7.5 Cornfield low highvery high 7 Soybean field tracehighlow8

12. Use of Soil Loss Equation= USLE A= avg. annual soil loss tons/acre R= rainfall runoff erosivity index based on geographical location K= soil erodibility considers residue, bare vs. grass coverage, amt. of tillage, etc. LS= slope steepness and length factor considers amt of slope; increase slope means increase soil loss C= cover management P= conservation practice (s) implemented

14. Primarily caused by: a.Poor farming practices b.Overgrazing on ranched land c.Forestry practices that damage soil by clear cutting d.Desertification= over 10% loss of productivity due 1. erosion6. salt build up 2. compaction7.climate change 3. removal of trees8.water sources depleted 4. overgrazing9.misc. 5. drought conditions Usually arid lands most susceptible to the above.

15. Post Dust Bowl Era taught us how to conserve soil and change soil conservation Practices. Local to national levels of development of management and organizations enabled new policies to form and be set in place.

16. 1.1935- Soil Conservation Act established Soil Conservation Service to Work directly with farmers to develop plans for their land.

17. 1994- SCS became the Natural Resources Conservation Service this allowed for better management of soil AND water conservation for protection of water ways and reduce effects of pollution and run off issues.

18. CRP- Conservation Reserve Program began with the 1985 Farm Bill goal to stop farming crops and replace with grasses and tress to create biodiversity, water retention, less run off, and soil preservation In addition, farmers are paid for conservation efforts USDA estimate (according to text) that each dollar spent Saves nearly 1 ton of top soil

19. Internationally, conservation efforts are also in place. United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization subdivision of Farmer’s Centered Agricultural Resource Management Program FARM focus on developing nations to increase crop yields, better management and farming practices

20. 1.Irrigation – over saturation causes root rot leading to soil erosion 2.Salinization- build up of salts in upper soil horizons from lower pulled up by capillarity or by water sources in irrigation systems

21. Acid Rain Precipitation- percolation through the soil is taken up by root systems Pesticides- over use and accumulation of residues kill plants and animals, fungal Spores, bacteria, some that are helpful for the organic base of soils In addition, Toxicity levels affect human health.

22. Go green! Green Revolution means less chemical use Better technology in use of equipment Biotechnology in crops to reduce infestations and diseases Biological Pest Control PracticesHow Does Soil get Polluted?