Role Of Conservation In Soil Systems

Role Of Conservation In Soil Systems

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Introduction

Soil is a central component of terrestrial ecosystems, and a fundamental constituent in sustaining life on earth. The degradation of soil represents a loss in ecosystem services and a loss of natural capital assets. The health of terrestrial ecosystems, defined as ecosystem integrity, depends on the ecosystem components and the synergy of processes among them. A healthy ecosystem provides a steady flow of production and environmental goods and services in which the soil plays a key role.

What Is Soil Conservation?

Soil conservation is the prevention of soil loss from erosion or reduced fertility caused by over usage, acidification, salinization or other chemical soil contamination. It is the act of keeping the soil in place and healthy for present and future use.

Soil Conservation

Soil conservation is important because, if we do not take care of the soil, we would have nowhere to plant crops and trees.

Soil is crucial for many aspects of human life as it provides food, filters air and water and helps to decompose biological waste into nutrients for new plant life.

But soil can be drained away or contaminated, destroying it for use.

Soil and water conservation often go hand in hand, to help maintain the balance needed in the earth for people to live on and thrive.

Where erosion is taking place or the soil is becoming contaminated with metals, acids or through overuse it becomes lost. This in turn means that an important source of food, carbon dioxide fighting plants, shade and cover is lost with it.

Causes of Soil Erosion

1. Land use (human activities)
2. Climate -precipitation and wind velocity
3. Soil- texture, structure, water retention
4. Hydrology- the physical make up of the soil
5. Landforms-the slope of the land.

Prevention Of Soil Erosion

1. Growing cover crops when farm land is in off season.
2. Constructing runoff barriers and wind barriers.
3. Applying mulch to retain moisture.
4. Contour farming (following the slope when planting).
5. Terrace farming (planting level layers on hill sides).
6. Roots from planting vegetation and ground cover will help hold the soil in place. The outcome of good soil conservation leads to enriched lands, better crops and a balanced environment.

Slash-and-burn and other unsustainable methods of subsistence farming are practiced in some lesser developed areas. A sequel to the deforestation is typically large scale erosion, loss of soil nutrients and sometimes total desertification. And thus should be avoided.

Soil conservation can be as involved as farming techniques which involve crop rotation and no -till farming and it can as simple as a homeowner protecting the soil in her own backyard.

Some examples of soil conservation that can be adopted at home include:

• Planting Trees: A line of trees planted at the top of a hill, or at the start of a bare patch of soil can help prevent the wind from blowing the soil away. This is a simple way to stop one of the main causes of soil erosion, while adding shade and carbon dioxide removal greenery to the home.
• Plants and Grass: Bare patches in yards should be covered with vegetation by planting a garden or shrubbery, or just scattering some grass seeds. This will help keep the soil healthy, helping it to retain added moisture and shielding it from excessive rain and wind.

Conclusion

The role of conservation of soil systems can be seen as to prevent soil loss due to erosion, or the reduction in fertility of soil caused by over usage, acidification, salinization or other chemical soil contamination in order to retain the soil for present and future use.

References

1. Wikipedia.org. Soil Conservation.
2. http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/What_Is_Soil_Conservation. What Is Soil Conservation?
3. Reference.com. Why is soil conservation important?
4. Photo Credit: www.permaculture.org.au