Soil Conservation & Agricultural Practices Flashcards
What is crop rotation?
Rotating different crops in the same field each season to maintain soil health.
What is terracing?
The practice of carving steps into steep slopes to prevent erosion and runoff.
What is tilling?
The turning over of soil before planting.
What are shelterbelts?
Rows of trees or shrubs planted to reduce wind erosion.
What is contour farming?
Plowing among the natural contours of the land to reduce soil erosion.
What is weathering?
The breakdown of rocks and minerals by chemical and physical means into smaller particles.
What is parent material?
The geological material in a particular area from which soil develops.
What is bedrock?
The solid layer of rock beneath the soil.
What is soil?
A mixture of organic matter, minerals, and organisms that support plant growth.
What are soil horizons?
Distinct layers of soil.
What is a soil profile?
Cross-section of all soil horizons in a specific soil (surface to bedrock).
What is clay?
A type of soil particle that is smallest in size & retains the most water (0.002 mm in diameter).
What is silt?
The medium sized particles that contribute to soil fertility (0.002 to 0.05 mm).
What is sand?
A soil particle that is the largest in size - good drainage but poor nutrient retention.
What is loam?
A relatively equal mixture of silt, sand, and clay - ideal for agriculture.
What is irrigation?
Supply of water to crops using artificial means, e.g., canals or sprinklers.
What is salinization?
The buildup of salts in upper horizons, often due to improper irrigation practices.
What are pesticides?
Chemicals that kill organisms that compete with plants.
What is soil degradation?
Deterioration of the soil characteristics needed for plant growth or other ecosystem services.
What is intercropping?
The planting of different crops in the same field to reduce soil depletion and pest issues.
What is a cover crop?
Plants grown primarily to protect and enrich soil rather than for harvest.
What is overgrazing?
Too many animals eat too much plant cover, reducing growth.
What is desertification?
The process by which fertile land becomes desert due to climate changes or human activities (loss of more than 10% of productivity).
When did agriculture begin?
Agriculture began 10,000 years ago when the climate warmed up allowing humans to plant seeds and raise livestock.
What are the key components of soil?
Organic matter, minerals, water, and air
These components work together to support plant growth.
What role does organic matter play in soil?
Enriches the soil and improves its structure
Organic matter includes decomposed plant and animal material.
From where do minerals in soil originate?
Weathering of rocks
Minerals contribute to soil fertility and structure.
Name some living organisms found in soil.
Bacteria, fungi, and insects
These organisms play crucial roles in nutrient cycling.
What are soil horizons?
Distinct layers within the soil profile
Each horizon has unique characteristics and functions.
What is the primary characteristic of topsoil (A horizon)?
Rich in organic material
It is where most biological activity occurs.
What does the subsoil (B horizon) accumulate?
Minerals leached from the upper layers
The subsoil has less organic matter compared to topsoil.
What is the parent material (C horizon)?
Weathered rock
It is the source of soil minerals.
What is bedrock (R horizon)?
The solid rock layer beneath the soil
It provides the foundation for soil development.
Define weathering.
The breakdown of rocks into smaller particles
This occurs through physical and chemical processes.
What is physical weathering?
Processes that break rocks apart without changing their chemical composition
Examples include freeze-thaw cycles and abrasion.
What does chemical weathering involve?
Reactions that alter the minerals in rocks
Examples include oxidation and hydrolysis.
What factors influence the rate of weathering?
Climate, rock type, and topography
These factors can accelerate or slow down the weathering process.
What is crop rotation?
Alternating different crops in the same field
This practice maintains soil health and fertility.
What is intercropping?
Growing two or more crops in proximity
This reduces soil depletion and pest issues.
List some benefits of crop rotation and intercropping.
- Break pest and disease cycles
- Improve soil structure
- Enhance biodiversity
Example: Rotating legumes with cereals can enhance nitrogen levels in the soil.
What is terracing?
Creating steps on steep slopes
This technique reduces soil erosion and manages water runoff.
What does contour farming involve?
Farming along the natural contours of the land
This helps to slow water runoff and reduce soil loss.
What are shelterbelts?
Rows of trees or shrubs planted as windbreaks
They reduce wind erosion and protect crops.
What are cover crops?
Crops planted to protect and enrich the soil rather than for harvest
They prevent erosion during off-seasons.
Define soil degradation.
The deterioration of soil quality
This affects its ability to support plant growth and ecosystem services.
What is overgrazing?
When livestock consume too much vegetation
This leads to soil compaction and erosion.
What is desertification?
The process by which fertile land becomes desert
Often caused by human activities and climate change.
List effective soil conservation practices.
- Reduced tillage
- Maintaining ground cover
- Implementing agroforestry
These practices help preserve soil health.
What agricultural practices can lead to soil erosion?
Excessive tilling
This can lead to soil degradation.
How do pesticides affect soil health?
They can harm beneficial soil organisms
This leads to soil pollution.
What is salinization?
The accumulation of salts in the soil
It can harm plant growth due to improper irrigation practices.
How does urbanization affect soil?
Contributes to soil erosion and loss of fertile land
Urbanization can alter landscapes significantly.
What factors lead to desertification?
- Climate change
- Unsustainable agricultural practices
- Deforestation
- Socioeconomic factors
These factors can drive unsustainable land use practices.
What is sustainable agriculture?
Practices that maintain soil health and reduce environmental impact
Focuses on long-term ecological balance.
List some sustainable farming techniques.
- No-till farming
- Cover cropping
- Crop rotation
These enhance soil structure and fertility.
What is integrated pest management (IPM)?
Reduces reliance on chemical pesticides
Promotes ecological balance.
What does agroecology combine?
Traditional farming knowledge with modern science
This aims to create resilient agricultural systems.
What is the O Horizon?
The uppermost layer of the soil rich in organic matter, such as the remains of plants and dead animals
This layer is typically black brown or dark brown and varies in thickness.
What does the āEā in E Horizon stand for?
Eluviation Layer
This layer consists of nutrients leached from O and A horizons.
What is the main characteristic of the E Horizon?
High concentration of sand, silt particles, quartz, and other resistant materials
It is formed by the leaching of clay, minerals, and organic matter.
Is the E Horizon present in all soils?
No, it is absent in most soils but more common in forested areas
Its presence depends on the soil type and location.
What is the process that starts the formation of soil?
Weathering
This involves breaking down big rocks into smaller ones.
What are the two types of weathering processes?
- Physical weathering
- Chemical weathering
Physical agents include wind, water, and sunlight, while chemical agents include water, oxygen, and carbon dioxide.
How long does it take to form a 1 cm layer of soil?
Thousands of years
This highlights the slow process of soil formation.
What fine particles are formed from the weathering of rocks?
- Sand
- Silt
- Gravel
These particles ultimately contribute to the topmost layer of soil.
What are three things that are required to make the food supply secure?
1.maintaining healthy soil
2. Maintaining good water
3. Protecting the biodiversity of plants
What is soil composed of
Minerals, organic matter, air and water
What is parent material in soil formation?
The rock or material that breaks down to form soil
Disease that forms from the lack of protein
Kwashiorkor
Name one organization and policy that promotes soil conservation
ORGANIZATION: American farmland trust
Policy: Common agricultural policy
Aquaculture
The practice of cultivating aquatic animals and plants for food, recreation and research
Agriculture
The science ad practice of growing crops and raising animals to produce, food, fiber and other products.
Industrial Agriculture
Where machines that run on fossil fuels
