1. By: Dr.Yasir Yousif Abdalla
Soil and Conservation
By: Dr.Yasir Yousif Abdalla

2. What is the soil
Soil is a vital natural resource for humans. It is the highest part of the earth's surface, from which human beings derive their livelihood, providing the suitable environment for plant growth, which is derived from the necessary minerals and foodstuffs necessary for the human food

3. Soil components
The soil is formed from the chemical, physiochemical and biological degradation of organic and inorganic organic matter, and by the different factors of the climate (temperature and rain) and the topography of the surface of the earth and man during a period of time.

4. What is soil conservation
Soil conservation is a combination of all methods of management and land use that safeguard the soil against depletion or deterioration by natural or human-induced factors. It most often attempts to ensure that soil does not erode and wash into streams and lakes or blow away in the wind, but it also involves the protection of the soil from damage by machinery (e.g., compaction) or by harmful changes to its chemistry (e.g., acidification or salinization).

5. Definition of soil conservation
“Soil conservation is the prevention of soil loss from erosion or reduced fertility caused by over usage, acidification, salinization or other chemical soil contamination. Slash-and-burn and other unsustainable methods of subsistence farming are practiced in some lesser developed areas. A sequel to the deforestation is typically large scale erosion, loss of soil nutrients and sometimes total desertification.”

6. 3 Reasons Why Soil Conservation Is So Important
The soil is literally the foundation of plant life.
The soil additionally supports the animal kingdom.
The soil is necessary for water supply.

7. Methods and Techniques of Soil Conservation
Contour Plowing
Terrace Farming
Keyline Design
Perimeter Runoff Control
Windbreaks
Cover Crops/ Crop Rotation
Soil Conservation Farming
Green Manure
Indigenous crops
Prevent overgrazing
Stop trees cutting

16. Importance
Most people know that they need clean air and clean water to stay healthy. Fewer people realize that their well-being also depends on the health of the soil. Soil supports the growth of food and fiber, so its productivity is a major factor in the economies of Sudan and other nations.