Digging Deep Into Soil
The soil beneath our feet is as important as the air we breathe and the water we drink.
Soil holds water and nutrients plants need. Animals and people depend on plants for food so we need soil too.
Soil is made up of five main elements: water, air, minerals, organic matter, and organisms that are the decaying remains of once-living things. Soil is formed on the surface of the earth and is needed to grow and support plant life. We could not survive without soil!
Soil provides an anchor for plants to secure themselves to the earth so they aren't blown away or destroyed. Plants absorb nutrients from the soil so they can continue to grow. Soil is also an important factor in cleaning and regulating water. When it rains, healthy soil can absorb and regulate the rainfall to reduce flooding. Filtering and cleaning the groundwater we drink is also an important role that soil plays.
It is important to protect soil, otherwise erosion can occur. Erosion is when soil is carried away by wind or water. You can see signs of erosion when the water draining from fields looks like chocolate milk. This means soil is being carried away in the water. Erosion is something farmers like to prevent because the topsoil is needed to grow healthy crops. What would you do to stop erosion from happening in the fields below?
Holding Onto Soil
Read the descriptions of the four erosion prevention actions below then complete the following task.
Cover Cropping
Plants grown to cover the soil between rows of crops. They are usually not harvested but help hold the soil in place, control weeds and pests.
Windbreak
Rows of trees or bushes are planted where they will block prevailing winds. This reduces wind erosion and protects crops—and gives the bonus of wildlife habitat.
No Tillage
Instead of traditional plowing that leaves long rows of bare soil exposed to wind and rain, stubble from last years crop is left on the field. This helps hold soil in place.
Grassed Waterways
Grass is planted in waterways in the field to slow running water and hold soil in place.