< BackNext >PreviewMain Section 4 Soil Conservation Bear Time Franklin D. Roosevelt once said: “The nation that destroys its soil destroys itself.” What do you think this quote means? Record your response in your science journal.

< BackNext >PreviewMain Describe three important benefits that soil provides. Describe four methods of preventing soil damage and loss. Objectives

< BackNext >PreviewMain The Importance of Soil: You have probably heard about endangered plants and animals. Did you know that soil can be endangered, too? Soil can take many years to form. It is not easy to replace. Therefore, soil is considered a nonrenewable resource. Nutrients Soil provides minerals and other nutrients for plants. If soil lacks nutrients, plants will not be able to grow. Animals Animals get their energy from plants or by eating animals that get their energy from plants. Housing or Habitat Soil provides a place for animals to live. Bacteria Insects Mushrooms Water Storage Without soil to hold water, plants would not get the moisture or the nutrients they need.

< BackNext >PreviewMain Soil Conservation If we do not take care of soils, they could become unusable. In order to keep our soils usable, we need to conserve them. Soil conservation means protecting soils from erosion and nutrient loss. Soil conservation can help to keep soils fertile and healthy.

< BackNext >PreviewMain Soil Damage and Loss Overuse Overused soil can lose its nutrients and become infertile. Soil Erosion When soil is left unprotected, it can be exposed to erosion. Erosion is the process by which wind, water, or gravity transport soil and sediment from one location to another.

< BackNext >PreviewMain How can Farmers Help to Conserve Soil? Pocket Foldable Contour Plowing In contour plowing, the rows of soil act as a series of dams to prevent water from eroding topsoil away. Terracing If hills are steep, farmers can use terracing. Terracing changes one steep field into a series of smaller, flatter fields. No-Till Farming Farmers leave the stalks from old crops lying on the field while the newer crops grow. The old stalks protect the soil from rain and help reduce erosion.

< BackNext >PreviewMain Cover Crops Cover crops are crops that are planted between harvests to replace certain nutrients and prevent erosion. Cover crops prevent erosion by providing cover from wind and rain. Crop Rotation Farmers can rotate crops that use different nutrients so that nutrients in the soil have time to become replenished.

< BackNext >PreviewMain Soil Conservation Video 1.How much of the Earth is land? 2.How much of the Earth is available to grow plants? 3.What layer of soil can you grow plants? 4.List the 4 different parts of soil How long does it take to create 1 inch of top soil? 6.How do plants help with erosion?