Science Notes – Soil conservation

Explain concept of soil conservation

Soil conservation is a set of techniques used to prevent soil from losing its fertility.

Soil can have reduced fertility due to erosion, over usage, acidification, salinization and other causes.

Describe activities to conserve soil water and maintain soil fertility

1. Terrace farming
Terracing or terrace farming is the practice of creating nearly level areas in a hillside area. The terraces form a series of steps, each at a higher level than the previous. Terraces are protected from erosion by other soil barriers.

2. Perimeter runoff control
Tree, shrubs and ground-cover are effective perimeter treatment for soil erosion prevention, by impeding surface flows. A special form of this perimeter or inter-row treatment is the use of a “grass way” that both channels and dissipates runoff through surface friction, impeding surface runoff and encouraging infiltration of the slowed surface water.

3. Windbreaks
Windbreaks are sufficiently dense rows of trees at the windward exposure of an agricultural field subject to wind erosion. Evergreen species provide year-round protection; however, as long as foliage is present in the seasons of bare soil surfaces, the effect of deciduous trees may be adequate.

4 Cover crops
Cover crops such as legumes, white turnip, radishes and other species are rotated with cash crops to blanket the soil year-round and act as green manure that replenishes nitrogen and other critical nutrients. Cover crops also help suppress weeds.

Distinguish between macro and micro soil nutrients

Macro (major) nutrients:

Nitrogen (N),
Potassium (K),
Phosphorus (P),
Calcium (Ca),
Magnesium (Mg),
Sulphur (S).

Micro (minor) nutrients:

Boron (B)
Molybdenum (Mo)
Manganese (Mn)
Chlorine (Cl)
Zinc (Zn)
Copper (Cu)
Iron (Fe)

Factors which lead to the depletion of soil nutrients

1. Erosion
2. Overgrazing
3. Poor farming and tillage methods,
4. Dumping of non- biodegradable waste on land
5. Improper irrigation and drainage practices.
6. Surface mining and quarrying.
7. Deforestation
8. Excessive use of fertilizer

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Soil conservation

Explain concept of soil conservation

Soil conservation is a set of techniques used to prevent soil from losing its fertility.

Soil can have reduced fertility due to erosion, over usage, acidification, salinization and other causes.

Describe activities to conserve soil water and maintain soil fertility

1. Terrace farming
Terracing or terrace farming is the practice of creating nearly level areas in a hillside area. The terraces form a series of steps, each at a higher level than the previous. Terraces are protected from erosion by other soil barriers.

2. Perimeter runoff control
Tree, shrubs and ground-cover are effective perimeter treatment for soil erosion prevention, by impeding surface flows. A special form of this perimeter or inter-row treatment is the use of a “grass way” that both channels and dissipates runoff through surface friction, impeding surface runoff and encouraging infiltration of the slowed surface water.

3. Windbreaks
Windbreaks are sufficiently dense rows of trees at the windward exposure of an agricultural field subject to wind erosion. Evergreen species provide year-round protection; however, as long as foliage is present in the seasons of bare soil surfaces, the effect of deciduous trees may be adequate.

4 Cover crops
Cover crops such as legumes, white turnip, radishes and other species are rotated with cash crops to blanket the soil year-round and act as green manure that replenishes nitrogen and other critical nutrients. Cover crops also help suppress weeds.

Distinguish between macro and micro soil nutrients

Macro (major) nutrients:

Nitrogen (N),
Potassium (K),
Phosphorus (P),
Calcium (Ca),
Magnesium (Mg),
Sulphur (S).

Micro (minor) nutrients:

Boron (B)
Molybdenum (Mo)
Manganese (Mn)
Chlorine (Cl)
Zinc (Zn)
Copper (Cu)
Iron (Fe)

Factors which lead to the depletion of soil nutrients

1. Erosion
2. Overgrazing
3. Poor farming and tillage methods,
4. Dumping of non- biodegradable waste on land
5. Improper irrigation and drainage practices.
6. Surface mining and quarrying.
7. Deforestation
8. Excessive use of fertilizer