Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Mature soils are arranged in a series of zones called SOIL HORIZONS: O HORIZON = freshly fallen and partially decomposed leaves, twigs, animal waste. You can find fungi and other organic materials. A HORIZON = porous mixture of partially decomposed organic matter (humus) and some inorganic mineral particles.
These top two layers are most fertile, have the highest concentration of organic matter, and contain large amounts of living organisms.
Rove beetle Flatworm Centipede Mite Pseudoscorpion Ant
Ground beetle
Fly larvae
Sowbug
Slug Snail
B (subsoil) and C (parent material) HORIZON contain most of the soils inorganic matter, broken-down rock.
Soil Content
Clay (very fine particles) Silt (fine particles) Sand (medium-size particles) Gravel (coarse to very coarse particles) SOIL TEXTURE is determined by the relative amounts of the different types and sizes of mineral particles.
100%clay 0
80
clay
20
60
40
20 sandy loam
loam
80
sand
loamy sand 80
100%sand
60
40
20
100%silt
Soil texture helps determine SOIL POROSITY, a measure of the volume of spores or spaces per volume of soil and the average space between those spaces. INFILTRATION is the downward movement of water through soils. As the water seeps down, it dissolves various soil components in upper layers and carries them down to lower layers in a process called LEACHING.
SOIL PERMEABILITY is the rate at which water and air move from upper to lower soil layers.
Water Water
High permeability
Low permeability
Crop plant
10-6-4 N-P-K
Nitrogen fixing
Decomposition
Supply of available plant nutrients in soil
Weathering of rock
Soil erosion is the movement of soil components, especially surface litter and topsoil. The two main agents of erosion are wind and flowing water. Loss of plant cover by farming, logging, construction, overgrazing by livestock, offroad vehicles, deliberate burning of vegetation and other activities leave soil vulnerable to erosion.
Two major harmful effects of soil erosion: 1. Loss of soil fertility and its ability to hold water 2. Runoff of sediment that pollutes water, kills fish and shellfish, and clog irrigation ditches, boat channels, reservoirs, and lakes.
Consequences
Worsening drought Famine Economic losses Lower living standards Environmental refugees
SALINATION 1. Irrigation water contains small amounts of dissolved salts. 2. Evaporation and transpiration leave salts behind. 3. Salt builds up in soil.
WATERLOGGING Precipitation and irrigation water percolate downward. Water table rises.
Both result in stunted plant growth, lower crop yields, dead plants and ruined land.
Waterlogging
Soil Conservation involves reducing soil erosion and restoring soil fertility.
Reduces erosion Saves fuel Cuts costs Holds more soil water Reduces soil compaction Allows several crops per season Does not reduce crop yields
Can increase herbicide use for some crops Leaves stalks that can harbor crop pests and fungal diseases and increase pesticide use Requires investment in expensive equipment
Contour planting and strip cropping: each row acts as a small dam to help hold soil and slow water runoff.
Alley cropping or agroforestry: several crops are planted together in strips or alleys between trees and shrubs that can provide fruit or fuel-wood, shade, help retain and slowly release soil moisture, and fodder for livestock.
Windbreaks or shelterbelts of trees reduce wind erosion, help retain soil, supply wood for fuel, and provide habitats for birds, pest-eating and pollinating insects, and other animals.
Terracing retains water for crops at each level and reduces soil erosion by controlling runoff.
Soil Restoration
Organic fertilizer Manure Compost crop rotation No till farming Contour farming Terracing Nitrogen fixation-legumes