Soil Health & Land Use Envirothon 2018-2019

Soil Composition

Soil Types

5 Soil Factors

Time Weathering and erosion of materials so that breakdown is a continuous process.

Biological processes aid the breaking down and transport of materials. Organisms

Climate

Relief YES, that one. Ummmmm, no.

Parent Materials Igneous Metamorphic Sedimentary

Residual Soils form from top and bottom Bottom Weathering of bedrock produces rock particles and mineral contribution (B-C) Top Decomposition of organic matter produces carbon and nitrogen rich component (O-A-B)

Quick & Dirty Erosion Soil erosion involves the breakdown, detachment, transport, and redistribution of soil particles by forces of water, wind, or gravity. Solutions Residue management Crop rotations Cover crops Terraces Contour farming Stripcropping Windbreaks Herbaceous wind barrier Causes Bare or unprotected soil Long and steep slopes Intense rainfall or irrigation events when residue cover is at a minimum Decreased infiltration by compaction

Soil Erosion - It’s a BIG Deal As a result of erosion over the past 40 years, 30 percent of the world's arable land has become unproductive. About 60 percent of soil that is washed away ends up in rivers, streams and lakes, making waterways more prone to flooding and to contamination from soil's fertilizers and pesticides.

5 Functions of Soil

Soil & Plants are BFF’s Soil depth O-A layers Soil texture Water availability Rooting depth Soil texture Influences surface area Water retention O-A layers Nitrogen and organic matter Microbial community

Soil Horizons

Trophic Levels 1st - Photosynthesizers 2nd - Decomposers, pathogens, root feeders 3rd - Shredders, predators, Grazers 4th - Higher level predators 5th & higher - higher level predators

Rhizosphere

Soil Testing

Soil Chemistry Recap soil survey Rio grande soil survey