Unit 5.3 Soil degradation and conservation

Question 1

Soil degradation

Answer 1

change in the soil health
status resulting in a diminished capacity of the ecosystem to

provide goods and services for its beneficiaries

Question 2

Soil conservation strategies

Answer 2

1.Soil conditioners
2. Wind-reduction techniques
3. Cultivation techniques
4. Efforts to stop ploughing marginal lands

Question 3

Soil conditioners

Answer 3

product added to soil to improve its properties and promote plant growth and health.

eg. lime, organic materials (straw, manure, etc.)

Question 4

Wind-reduction techniques

Answer 4

Effect of wind can be reduced by planting trees or bushes
between fields

Question 5

Cultivation techniques

Answer 5

1. Terracing
2. Strip cultivation
3. Contour ploughing
4. Crop rotation

Question 6

Efforts to stop ploughing marginal lands

Answer 6

Marginal land is land of poor quality with regard to agricultural use, and unsuitable for housing and other uses. It has little potential for profit and often has poor soil quality.

Question 7

Energy efficiency terrestrial vs aquatic systems

Answer 7

1. Terrestrial food production systems, harvested at first
   (crops) or second trophic level (meat
   - efficient use of solar energy.
   -higher skeletal waste losses
2. Aquatic food production systems, come from higher trophic levels
   - energy efficiency is lower
   - initial intake is less efficient because absorption and reflection of sunlight by water.
   - energy losses in the form of
   heat are higher in water

Question 8

Main ideas of soil and human activity

Answer 8

1. Fertile soils require significant time to develop through the process
   of succession. Considered non-renewable resource.
2. Human activities may reduce
   soil fertility and increase soil erosion
3. Soil conservation strategies exist and may be used to preserve soil
   fertility and reduce soil erosion

Question 9

Human activities that reduce fertility in soil

Answer 9

• Deforestation: once the vegetation is removed, the soil is more prone to erosion
• Intensive grazing: too many animals graze in the same area, bare soil equals erosion
• Urbanization: increased run-off as a result of paving the soil
• Unsustainable agricultural practices (irrigation, monoculture,etc): remove nutrients
  means less fertile soil, which makes it more susceptible to wind erosion
• Toxification: excessive use of pesticides