Soil Conservation (HL IB ESS OLD COURSE - IGNORE)
Revision Note
Written by: Alistair Marjot
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Soil Conservation Techniques
Soil conservation techniques are used to maintain the health and productivity of our soils
As soil fertility declines, various detrimental processes can occur, such as:
Soil erosion
Toxification
Salinisation
Desertification
These processes lead to significant environmental and agricultural challenges
Soil conservation techniques can be used to:
Mitigate soil degradation
Preserve the important characteristics of fertile soils
Soil conservation techniques can be classified in several ways, including:
Techniques that reduce soil erosion
Techniques that increase soil fertility (using soil conditioners)
Cultivation techniques
Conservation from Erosion
Soil conservation technique | Type of erosion reduced | Description | Effect |
---|---|---|---|
Strip cultivation | Water | Planting crops in alternating strips or bands, leaving natural vegetation between the strips | Reduces soil erosion by trapping water, slowing down runoff and increasing infiltration while still allowing for crop production in the cultivated strips Increases biodiversity |
Terracing | Water | Creating levelled steps on sloped lands | Reduces soil erosion by slowing down water movement and increasing infiltration Minimises soil loss on steep slopes |
Contour ploughing | Water | Ploughing parallel to the contour lines of the land instead of up and down slopes | Minimises soil erosion by reducing length and speed of water flow downhill Prevents gully formation and increases infiltration |
Bunding | Water | Building embankments or barriers along fields | Controls water flow Prevents soil erosion and waterlogging |
Drainage systems | Water | Installing systems to manage excess water | Prevents waterlogging Reduces erosion and nutrient loss |
Cover crops | Water | Planting crops that cover the soil | Reduces water erosion Improves soil structure |
Windbreaks | Wind | Planting trees or hedges to block and reduce wind speed | Provides physical barrier to wind Reduces wind erosion Protects topsoil Protects crops from wind damage |
Cover crops | Wind | Planting crops to cover soil | Reduces wind erosion Adds organic matter to soil |
Conservation of Fertility with Soil Conditioners
Soil conservation technique | Description | Effect |
---|---|---|
Lime | Adding lime to soil | Improves soil pH, reducing soil acidity Enhances nutrient availability Promotes beneficial microbial activity |
Compost | Using decomposed organic matter | Enriches soil with nutrients Improves soil structure Increases water-holding capacity Promotes beneficial microbial activity |
Green manure | Growing plants (e.g. cover crops) specifically to be ploughed into the soil | Increases organic matter Enhances soil fertility |
Cultivation Techniques
Soil conservation technique | Description | Effect |
---|---|---|
Avoid marginal land | Not farming on land that is vulnerable to erosion or poor in nutrients | Protects fragile ecosystems Prevents soil degradation Maintains soil health |
Avoid overgrazing / overcropping | Managing livestock and crop levels to prevent depletion | Maintains soil cover Prevents soil erosion and compaction |
Mixed cropping | Growing different types of crops together | Improves soil health Reduces pest and disease issues |
Crop rotation | Rotating different crops on the same land | Maintains soil nutrients Reduces disease and pest buildup |
Reduced tillage | Minimising ploughing and soil disturbance | Preserves soil structure Maintains moisture levels |
Agroforestry | Integrating trees and shrubs into farming systems | Enhances soil structure Provides shade and wind protection |
Reduced use of heavy machinery | Minimising the use of heavy equipment on fields | Prevents soil compaction Maintains soil structure |
Examiner Tips and Tricks
You should note that many of these techniques help conserve soils in multiple ways. For example, cover crops protect the soil from wind and water erosion, but they can also ploughed into the soil to become green compost.
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