Soil Conservation

Agriscience II

Performance Objectives

1) Explain how the major types of soil erosion affect the environment and agricultural production.

2) Describe factors that influence soil erosion.

3) Evaluate the effectiveness of erosion prevention procedures

Soil Erosion

Movement of soil particles from one place to another under the influence of water or wind

Types of Soil Erosion

Water Erosion Wind Erosion

Water Erosion

Raindrops Surface flow Gully flow

Wind Erosion

Organic matter is blown away Sand and coarse materials left behind

Factors Influencing Erosion Plowing unsuitable land Too little rainfall Braking up land susceptible to erosion No crop residues Exposing soil on slopes Removing vegetation from forests Overgrazing

Results of Soil Erosion

Loss of topsoil Reduction of yields Greater need for fertilizers Production of lower nutrient crops Formation of gullies Covering of rich bottomlands by poorer

highlands

Results of Soil Erosion continued Destruction of roadbanks Erosion of bottomlands Silt accumulation in ditches and

waterways Increased flood hazard Waste of water Greater costs of production

Water Erosion Prevention Procedures Cover Crops Crop Rotation Strip Cropping Grassed Waterways Conservation Tillage Contour Farming Terraces

Windbreaks and Shelterbreaks Conservation Tillage Contour Farming

Wind Erosion Prevention Procedures