ASSIGNMENT IN EARTH SCIENCE

I. Identify human activities that affect the quality and quantity of soil.

1. Farming - Both positive and negative effects of farming can be seen on soil quality. For
instance, organic fertilizers give many soil organisms a source of food or energy, keeping the
soil healthy and suitable for planting; on the other hand, tilling in farming can directly harm
soil microorganisms and possibly expose those to new predators.
2. Construction of Structures - Construction activities, such as grading and filling,
decrease the quality of the soil on some sites by taking away the soil nutrients and making
the land unsuitable for farming.
3. Waste Disposal - The incorrect disposal of waste, which results in soil pollution, has a
significant impact on soil quality. This occurs when hazardous substances from human and
industrial sewage are carelessly dumped, affecting the health and quality of the soil.
4. Mining - Mining causes the soil to be increasingly exposed to air and water, which can
speed up the chemical weathering process that might result in acid drainage, a type of
pollution.
5. Deforestation - The removal of trees or deforestation causes soil erosion and coastal
flooding because trees help the land retain water and topsoil, which contains rich nutrients
to support forest life.

II. Identify 5 ways to conserve soil.

1. No-till Farming - No-till farming is a method that prevents the soil from becoming bare
and exposed by allowing crops to stay in place for a whole season.
2. Forest Protection - Soil quality is ensured when forests are kept and conserved because
trees and other forest plants play a crucial role in the production of new soil when leaves rot
and decompose.
3. Plant Windbreak Areas - Windbreaks are made up of shrubs, plants, and trees; when
they operate together, they serve as a conservation technique by reducing the wind's force
over ground regions, which may prevent soil erosion.
4. Crop Rotation - This process is achieved by planting different plants in the same soil, and
it prevents the overgrowth of pathogens and soil deficiency.
5. Water the Soil - Watering the soil not only nourishes the soil, but it also protects it from
erosion.