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    Earth Science Lesson 2.3 - Soil Resources

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    estel mae

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    Earth Science Lesson 2.3 - Soil Resources

    Uploaded by

    estel mae
    3 views31 pages

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    3 views31 pages

    Earth Science Lesson 2.3 - Soil Resources

    Uploaded by

    estel mae

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 31

    SOIL

    RESOURCES
    Objectives
    Identify and describe Identify and describe how
    the distribution of human activities affect the
    arable land. quality & quantity of soil.
    SOIL
    Material found on the surface of the
    Earth that is composed of organic
    and inorganic materials. Soil is a
    renewable material because it is
    constantly being replenished by the
    geologic and biological processes in
    our environment.
    Arable Land
    Arable is derived from the Latin word “arabilis” - meaning
    "land that can be plowed". To plow is to turn up the earth with
    a plow so that seeds can be sown into it. Arable land is the
    first requirement for agriculture, because it has the
    characteristics that allow plants to grow quickly and acquire a
    large biomass. Therefore, arable land is an area that can be
    used for growing crops.
    Arable Land
    First, a land which is not arable is
    nearly rock solid. Roots cannot go deep
    into the soil to reach their needed water
    and nutrients. Second, nitrogen, which is
    an essential plant nutrient, cannot mix
    with the soil where it is needed by
    plants. And third, water cannot infiltrate
    the soil where it is needed by plant roots.
    Land-use Statistics of selected ASEAN nations

    CULTIVATED CULTIVATED PERMANENT


    COUNTRY ARABLE LAND
    LAND (km2) LAND CROPS

    Cambodia 42,716 23.6 41,087 1,629

    Indonesia 478,055 25.1 247,598 230,457

    Malaysia 75,568 22.3 9,567 64,001

    Philippines 108,000 36 54,600 53,400

    Thailand 203,188 39.6 158,035 45,153

    Vietnam 108,302 32.7 68,227 40,075


    Human Impact on Soil

    Soil Erosion Compaction Salinisation Desertification


    Human Impact on Soil
    Human impacts on soil have potentially deleterious consequences
    to the environment and to society. Although soil is a renewable
    source, it takes years for the natural processes of our
    environment to replenish it.
    Soil Erosion
    The topsoil is often the layer of soil which is rich in nutrients. Thus, its
    erosion leaves the soil less fertile. It is also the layer where plant roots bind
    themselves for anchorage. Two causes of soil erosion of arable lands are
    intensive agriculture and inappropriate cultivation of steep slopes.

    Intensive agriculture requires regular plowing and harvesting. Plowing


    breaks the topsoil and the soil becomes easily eroded by flood. Harvesting
    exposes soil to direct sunlight making it grainy and thus, vulnerable to
    erosion by wind and water.
    Compaction
    The ideal soil for agriculture is one that is not too sandy and not to compact
    either. When it is too sandy, water percolates straight into the deeper layers,
    leaving the topsoil with little moisture. But one which is too compact, such as
    clay, prevents water from infiltrating into the roots. It also stop plant roots
    from spreading or digging deep into the soil to reach nutrients. Ideal soil for
    growing crops is loam - right mixture of sand, silt, and clay.

    The cause of compaction is excessive load from people, cars, tractors,


    machines, and animals - this expels air from the soil pores making the soil
    more dense.
    Salinisation
    Soil salinisation is the result of saltwater
    infiltration into groundwater which is the source
    of irrigation water for agricultural fields. It is the
    consequences of coastal land erosion and
    excessive drawing out of water from aquifers for
    agricultural use. Because of the differential
    pressure, saltwater intrudes into aquifers where
    they are drawn out for irrigation purposes. Some
    plants have a high tolerance for salt content but
    most agricultural crops are sensitive to it.
    Desertification
    Soil is easily turned into a desert when it is often
    dry. Removing plant cover from the soil
    contributes to desertification because direct
    exposure to sunlight leaves the soil with little
    moisture. Prolonged exposure makes it arid. Arid
    lands have little moisture to the soil together, and
    with time, the land becomes sandy and eventually
    turns into desert. Since water is needed to keep
    the soil together, reduced groundwater and the
    drying up of surrounding bodies of water
    (drought) contribute to desertification.
    Human Activities that Impact Soil

    Farming Grazing Construction Mining Waste Disposal


    Farming
    Since organic fertilizers are
    dependent on other biotic & abiotic
    factors, farmers use chemical or
    inorganic fertilizers. However,
    repeated application of such
    fertilizers lead to accumulation of
    toxic chemicals, such as, arsenic and
    cadmium in the soil.
    Grazing
    When tracts of land are devoted to grazing,
    the land is stripped of plant cover. The soil
    becomes directly exposed to sunlight which
    reduces its moisture. Frequent trampling by
    grazing animals overturns the soil which
    breaks masses of soil into tinier fragments.
    If the soil is not showered by rain, the land
    becomes arid like a desert. If a rush of
    flood comes, it carries away so much soil
    nutrients.
    Construction
    Construction requires digging and
    overturning soil. Fragmented soil is easily
    eroded by wind and water and is often
    deposited in rivers and lakes which turn
    them muddy. Heavy machineries that
    enter and leave construction sites also
    contribute to soil compaction.
    Mining
    Strip mining and open-pit mining require
    removing huge quantities of plants and soil
    so that mineral ores can be collected. The
    collected soil is turned into embankment
    dams to contain mine tailings. If it is not
    used to make dams, it is deposited in places
    where it is eroded by wind and water, and
    deposited in lakes and rivers by water run-
    off.
    Waste Disposal
    How wastes affect soil quality depends on
    the type of waste people throw away.
    Plastics, even though they are often
    produced for packaging, contain potentially
    harmful chemicals which leach out and
    contaminate soil and water.
    chloride
    phthalates
    BPA (bisphenol A)
    Ways to Conserve Soil

    Crop Rotation Conservation Terracing Contour Windbreaks


    Tillage Plowing
    Crop Rotation
    Different crops are planted into different parts of the
    field in different years or different seasons. This allows
    parts of the field to recover its nutrients.
    Conservation Tillage
    Different crops are planted into different parts of the
    field in different years or different seasons. This allows
    parts of the field to recover its nutrients.
    Terracing
    Turning a field into flat steps to manage the flow of
    water for irrigation.
    Contour Plowing
    Contour plowing is plowing a hill along its contour lines.
    The fields are plowed at right angles with the direction
    of the slope to prevent the formation of gullies where
    water run-offs to reduce soil erosion.
    Windbreaks
    Refers to the rows of trees and shrubs planted between
    fields to break the force of wind that carries the soil.
    FIN.

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