1. Crops and Soil Section 15.2 Objectives: 1.Describe land-use practices that promote sustainability and economic growth. 2.Identifying ways to manage waste. 3.Describe the composition of soil profiles. 4.Identifying various processes and activities that promote soil formation. 5.Describe agents of erosion and methods for preventing soil erosion.

2. Agriculture Arable land: see your vocabulary for def. Basic farming process Traditional methods Modern methods PlowingRead p.384 to fill in this chart Fertilization Irrigation Pest control

3. Fertile Soil Can support healthy plant growth Topsoil: –surface layer of soil; –usually richer in organic matter than the subsoil; –where plant roots grow Formation of fertile soil: –Weathered rock particles supply mineral nutrients. –Fungi and bacteria for decomposition –Earthworms, insects, and small animals break up the soil, allowing air and water into it.

4. Soil Profile (Fig. 8, p.385)

5. Assignment Fold your paper in half hotdog style. Draw and color a soil profile showing details of all 6 layers. (Your drawing should take up the whole front of your folded paper.) Cut the layers apart, creating 6 flaps. On the inside, label and describe each layer. (Example: O Horizon/Surface litter – fallen leaves and dead animals)