Soil

Conservation

Chapter 7 Section 3
 The Value of Soil
• Soil is one of Earth’s most valuable
resources because everything that
lives on land depends directly or
indirectly on soil
• Soil is a renewable resource because
soil develops wherever weathering
occurs
• Renewable resource- one that is
naturally replaced in a relatively
short time
• Soil is valuable because there is a
 Soil Damage and Loss
• Soil is damaged as it • The Dust Bowl- an
loses its fertility area where wind
• Soil can be lost to erosion caused
erosion by water severe loss of
and wind topsoil during the
1930’s
• Water erosion can
occur whenever • Plowing removed the
soil is not grass from the
protected by plant Great Plains and
cover exposed the soil.
In times of
drought, the
topsoil quickly
dried out, turned
The Dust Bowl
 Soil Conservation
• Soil conservation- the management of soil
to prevent its destruction
• Contour plowing- the practice of plowing
fields along the curves of a slope
• Conservation plowing- disturbs the soil and
its plant cover as little as possible
• Low-till or no-till plowing: Dead weeds and
stalks o the previous year’s crop are left
on the ground to help return nutrients,
return moisture, and hold soil in place
 Review
• Explain the importance of soil as one of Earth’s
resources
 Everything that lives on land depends directly or
indirectly on soil. Soil takes a long time to form; there
is a limited supply
• How did settlers on the Great Plains help create
the Dust Bowl?
 The settlers’ plowing removed the grass from the
Great Plains and exposed the soil. They also allowed
livestock to overgraze during dry periods.
• What are some techniques that farmers use to
conserve soil?
 Contour plowing- the practice of plowing fields
along the curves of a slope
 Conservation plowing- a practice that disturbs the
soil and its plant cover as little as possible