UNIT #2 Soil

What is soil?

Soil: A mixture of mineral particles and organic material that covers the land, and in which terrestrial plants grow.

Other Definitions…

See textbook.

Permeability and Porosity

Why Degradation?

• Human activities such as overgrazing,

deforestation, unsustainable agriculture and

irrigation cause processes of degradation. • These include soil erosion, toxification and

salinization.• Desertification (enlargement of deserts

through human activities) can be associated with this degradation.

Soil Conservation

• soil conditioners (for example, use of lime

and organic materials)

• wind reduction techniques (wind breaks,

shelter belts, strip cultivation)

• cultivation techniques (terracing, contour

plowing)

• efforts to stop plowing of marginal lands.

LEDC vs MEDC

Sources Visited• http://www.eslarp.uiuc.edu/la/LA437-F94/soils/texture.gif• http://www.atmos.albany.edu/deas/atmclasses/atm301/soil_xsec.jpg• http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/water/GWSW/quantity/learn/Evaluation/EV_Images/EV3_porosity.gif• http://academic.emporia.edu/aberjame/wetland/define/soil01.jpg• http://sgp.undp.org/intranet//img/projects/7167/img_VN-03-002-2.JPG• http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a8/No_till_farming_SemisDirect_USDA.jpg• http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/nvswcd/images/notill2.jpg• Thomson Higher Education• http://www.uwsp.edu/stuorg/swcs/swcs_soil.jpg• http://i.pbase.com/g6/07/66107/2/85212459.PByXZTQC.jpg• http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/23089205.jpg• http://inlinethumb45.webshots.com/26732/2664528040104237032S600x600Q85.jpg