ESS PRESENTATION

SOIL
By Kylie Christabelle
PRESENTATION
OUTLINE
Define Soil

Importance of Soil

Soil Degradation definition

Examples of Soil degradation

Human Impact on Soil Degradation

Soil Conservation Practices

Soil is
a mixture of organic
matter, minerals, gas
es, liquids,
and organisms that
together support life.
IMPORTANCE OF SOIL
AS A MEDIUM FOR PLANT GROWTH
AS A MEANS OF WATER STORAGE, SUPPLY AND PURIFICATION
AS A MODIFIER OF EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE
AS A HABITAT FOR ORGANISMS
WHAT IS SOIL DEGRADATION?

Soil degradation is the decline

in soil condition caused by its

improper use or poor

management, usually for

agricultural, industrial or urban

purposes/ physical, chemical

and biological decline in soil

quality.
EXAMPLES OF
SOIL
water erosion (includes sheet, rill and gully

radation
erosion)

Deg
wind erosion

salinity (includes dryland, irrigation and urban

salinity)

loss of organic matter

fertility decline

soil acidity or alkalinity

structure decline (includes soil compaction

and surface sealing)

mass movement

soil contamination (including effects of toxic

chemicals and pollutants).

HUMAN IMPACT ON SOIL DEGRADATION

Overgrazing occurs when farmers stock too many animals such as sheep,

cattle or goats on their land.

Overcropping is when the land is being continuously under cultivation and is

not allowed to lie fallow between crops.

Deforestation is the cutting down of large areas of forests leaving an open,

exposed landscape.
CONSERVATION PRACTICES
WINDBREAKS
REFORESTATION
natural wind barriers created by planting trees
the deliberate planting of trees
that produce many branches and leaves

FARMING TECHNIQUES
STONE WALLS
contour ploughing, stubble planting and time of
walls of stone are built following the contours
ploughing can also be useful methods of soil
of the soil
conservation.