Conserving Land and Soil

Value of Soil Soil is one of Earth’s most valuable resources because everything that lives depends on it. Soil is one of Earth’s most valuable resources because everything that lives depends on it.

Mining Strip Mining causes the top layer of land to be stripped away. Strip Mining causes the top layer of land to be stripped away. Once the land has been mined it is difficult to use the land for another purpose. Once the land has been mined it is difficult to use the land for another purpose.

Soil Damage and Loss Desertification- Where a land that is fertile turns into desert-like conditions Desertification- Where a land that is fertile turns into desert-like conditions This occurs during a drought. This occurs during a drought.

Dust Bowl Click on picture to view video video

The Dust Bowl In the 1930’s, there was a drought (no rain). The soil turned to dust. The dust was blown from The Great Plains (Mid-western area) to New York. In the 1930’s, there was a drought (no rain). The soil turned to dust. The dust was blown from The Great Plains (Mid-western area) to New York.

Soil Conservation Soil Conservation - The management of soil to prevent its destruction. Soil Conservation - The management of soil to prevent its destruction.

Ways to Conserve Ways that soil can be conserved include contour plowing, conservation plowing, fallow soil, crop rotation, and terracing. Ways that soil can be conserved include contour plowing, conservation plowing, fallow soil, crop rotation, and terracing.

Soil Conservation TYPESEXPLANATION Contour Plowing Conservation Plowing FALLOW Soil Crop Rotation Terracing Crops planted in curving rows. Prevents soil loss as much as 50%. Farmers rotate which plants they use every other season. Crops are NOT planted to keep the soil fertile. A method famers use when plowing, which leaves old crops on top to prevent the topsoil from blowing away. Farmers cut level areas into the side of hills/mountains to slow down water from washing away the soil.