1. SOIL CONSERVATION

2. BELLRINGER Franklin D. Roosevelt once said: “The nation that destroys its soil destroys itself.” In your notebook write what you think this might mean.

3. OBJECTIVES Describe three important benefits that soil provides. Describe four methods of preventing soil damage and loss.

4. WHAT IS SOIL CONSERVATION Soil Conservation Method to maintain the fertility of the soil by protecting the soil from erosion and nutrient loss.

5. WHY IS SOIL IMPORTANT? Nutrients All animal life depends on plants for survival/food. Soil provides minerals and other nutrients for plants. Housing Soil provides a place for animals to live. Habitat – region where a plant or animal lives. Water Storage Without soil to hold water, plants would not get the moisture or the nutrients they need.

6. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THERE WAS NO MORE SOIL? Damaging Soil can lead to soil loss. Overuse of soil – lose of nutrients and can become infertile. Desertification or land degradation. Without plants there may be lack of water and the area can become a desert.

7. SOIL EROSION When soil is left unprotected it may begin to erode Erosion Process by which wind, water or gravity move soil and sediment from one location to another. Plants and trees protect soil.

8. WAYS TO REDUCE EROSION Contour Plowing In contour plowing, the rows of soil act as a series of dams to prevent water from eroding topsoil away.

9. WAYS TO REDUCE EROSION Terracing If hills are really steep, terracing changes one steep field into a series of smaller, flatter fields. No-till farming Leaving old crops or ground to cover from rain

10. WAYS TO REDUCE EROSION Cover Crop Crops that are planted between harvests to replace nutrients and prevent erosion. Provide cover from wind and rain Crop Rotation Plant different crops

11. THINK PAIR SHARE In your notebook answer: Why do humans depend on soil to survive? List 5 ways to conserve soil.