1. Soil Conservation

2. Video about soil conservation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSRmFSKByp I http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSRmFSKByp I http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSRmFSKByp I http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSRmFSKByp I

3. Sod helps to keep soil in place

4. Soil is a natural resource Plants depend on the soil for food Plants depend on the soil for food Humans/animals depend on the plants for food Humans/animals depend on the plants for food Limited supply of fertile soil Limited supply of fertile soil Soil, esp. fertile, takes a long time to form Soil, esp. fertile, takes a long time to form

5. Soil Damage and Loss Causes: Causes: Human activity Human activity Environmental changes Environmental changes

6. Soil Damage and Loss Value is lost: Value is lost: Fertility decreases Fertility decreases Called exhausted Called exhausted Can happen due to overuse Can happen due to overuse Can restore by using legumes which supple nitrogen in useable form Can restore by using legumes which supple nitrogen in useable form

7. Soil Damage and Loss Topsoil is lost: Topsoil is lost: Water & wind can quickly erode it Water & wind can quickly erode it Plants help keep topsoil Plants help keep topsoil Breaking the force of rainfall Breaking the force of rainfall Roots holding soil in place Roots holding soil in place Drought dries out plants and soils are blown away (unless precautions) Drought dries out plants and soils are blown away (unless precautions)

8. Loss due to human activity Over farming and strip mining

9. Topsoil lost due to wind

10. Topsoil lost due to water

11. Topsoil lost due to rainfall

12. Topsoil kept because of plant roots

13. Topsoil lost due to drought, plants die, nothing to hold the soil

14. Contour Plowing Plow along curves of a slope Plow along curves of a slope Slows runoff of rainfall Slows runoff of rainfall Prevents washing away of soil Prevents washing away of soil

15. Conservation plowing Low till/no-till Low till/no-till Disturb soil & plant cover little Disturb soil & plant cover little Dead weeds & stalks are left behind Dead weeds & stalks are left behind Return soil nutrients Return soil nutrients Retain moisture Retain moisture Hold soil in place Hold soil in place

16. Crop Rotation Plant different types crops to limit depletion of nutrients Plant different types crops to limit depletion of nutrients 1 st Cotton/Corn 1 st Cotton/Corn 2 nd oats/barley/rye 2 nd oats/barley/rye 3 rd legumes (alfalfa or beans) 3 rd legumes (alfalfa or beans)