1. Soil Conservation

2. How do we use the land to change the land? Mining – rocks and minerals are removed from the ground for profit by one of two methods: surface or sub-surface mining Agriculture – crops, pastures for animals Development – the construction of homes, offices, stores, roads etc.

3. Why is soil so valuable? Soil is used by everything that lives on land, either directly or indirectly –provides minerals and other nutrients for plants –all animals get their energy from plants by either eating them or eating animals that have eaten plants

4. Why is soil so valuable? - provides a habitat for animals - stores water for plants - keeps water from running off, flowing elsewhere and possibly causing flooding

5. How can soil be lost or damaged? 1. Exhausted – lose fertility because crops are planted year after year 2. Polluted – mining, chemical spills, HUMANS 3. Desertification – without plants to hold and cycle water, an area can become a desert 4. Erosion – wind (dust bowl), water (rain)

6. Pollution

7. Soil Erosion (Rain)

8. Wind Erosion Dust Bowl

9. What is soil conservation? Soil conservation is a method to maintain the fertility of the soil by protecting the soil from erosion and nutrient loss.

10. 1. Contour Plowing plowing fields along curves of slopes to prevent water erosion

11. 2. Terracing changes one steep field into several smaller fields to prevent water erosion.

12. 3. No-till farming dead weeds and stalks are left in the ground from year to year to prevent wind / water erosion

13. 4. Crop Rotation plant different crops in a field from year to year to slow nutrient depletion.

14. 5. Cover Crops crops that are planted between harvests to replace certain nutrients and prevent erosion. (George Washington Carver urged farmers to use this method.)

15. What can YOU do to conserve soil? Provide Ground Cover (plants, pine straw, mulch) Water the soil (not too wet but do not keep dry) Build Retaining walls