Thursday, November 12th
Learning Goal
• State the causes and predict the consequences of
soil erosion and soil degradation
Protecting the Soil
• Farming techniques can prevent the loss of
fertile topsoil:
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Agenda
• Notes
• Farming Technique WS
Homework
• Soil Quiz Tomorrow!
Crop Rotation
• Alternating the crops
grown field from one
season or year to the next
– The purpose of crop rotation
is to reintroduce nutrients
naturally, based on a
revolving planting schedule.
– Cover crops like clover can
also be used to protect soil
when main crops aren’t
planted
Crop Rotation
Contour Farming
Terracing
Intercropping
Shelterbelts
Reduced tillage
Contour Farming
• Plowing furrows
sideways across a
gradual hillside,
perpendicular to
slope following the
natural contours of
the land.
– Prevents rill and
gullies
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Terracing
Intercropping
• Planting different types
of crops in alternating
bands or other partially
mixed arrangements
• Level platforms are
cut into steep
hillsides, sometimes
with raised edges
– Slow erosion by
providing ground cover
– Reduces vulnerability to
disease and insects
– Replenishes soil
nutrients
– Transforms slopes
into a staircase to
contain water
Shelter Belts
• Rows of trees or
other tall, perennial
plants that are
planted to protect
against wind
– Also known as
windbreaks, alley
cropping, or
agroforestry
Reduced or No Tillage
• Crop residue is left on
the soil surface
• A tractor cuts furrows
through the dead
weeds and crop residue
to plants seeds
– Prevents erosion by
creating a barrier
– Can introduce nutrients
back into the soil
creating higher crop
yields
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Mulch can also help maintain soil
quality.
• Mulch is
beneficial to the
quality of soil.
– Helps to control
weeds
– Decreases soil
erosion
– Reduces
evaporation
Farming Techniques
Scenarios WS
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