JUNIOR

SCHOOLGRADE8
AGRICULTURE
Oscar Mwangi

2o24

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SOIL CONSERVATION:
INTRODUCTION

Soil provides the nutrients essential for plant growth, animal life, and millions of microorganisms.
However, if soil becomes unhealthy, unstable, or polluted, the life cycle stops.

Soil conservation refers to the protection and management of soil resources to prevent
their degradation and promote sustainable land use practices.

It is an important field of study and practice aimed at preserving the

productivity, fertility, and health of soils for future generations.

Soil is a vital natural resource that plays a crucial role in supporting plant growth,
water filtration, carbon storage, and providing a habitat for various organisms.

Threats to soil conservation

The primary threats to soil conservation are

Chemical contamination

The use of pesticides can contaminate the soil, as well as nearby vegetation and water sources,
with harmful chemicals. In addition to contamination, chemicals used on crops can be toxic to
important beneficial insects, such as bees, as well as fish and bird populations. A Good
example `is the growing use of pesticides, herbicides and toxic fertilizers.

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Slash and burn

Slash-and-burn farming is the practice of burning and clearing forests to make way for farmland.
This method kills plant species and displaces wildlife from their natural habitats. Land cleared
using slash and burn is only used while it’s productive for farming. Once it loses its fertility,
another patch of forest is identified for clearing. This unsustainable process repeats endlessly,
preventing soil from recovering sufficiently to support healthy ecosystems.

Land overuse, overgrazing, etc.

Overuse of land can limit soil’s ability to play its part in the global climate cycle. For
example, overcutting forests and woodlands for timber and overgrazing pastures can far
outpace the natural regrowth of vegetation, subjecting soil to increased exposure to erosion

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Importance of Soil Conservation
Soil conservation is of paramount importance due to the following reasons:

Preserving Agricultural Productivity: Healthy and fertile soil is essential for

sustaining agricultural productivity. Soil conservation practices help prevent soil erosion,
nutrient depletion, and degradation, ensuring that the land remains productive for
farming. By conserving soil, we can maintain high yields, improve food security, and
support sustainable agriculture.

Protecting Ecosystems and Biodiversity: Soil is a crucial component of terrestrial

ecosystems, supporting diverse plant and animal life. Soil conservation helps preserve
natural habitats, including forests, grasslands, and wetlands, which are home to a variety
of species. By protecting soil, we maintain the balance of ecosystems and safeguard
biodiversity.

Water Quality and Quantity: Healthy soil acts as a natural filter, purifying water as it
infiltrates through the soil layers. Soil conservation practices reduce runoff and erosion,
preventing sediment and pollutants from reaching water bodies. By preserving soil, we
maintain water quality, prevent contamination, and ensure the availability of clean
water resources.

Climate Change Mitigation: Soils play a significant role in mitigating climate

change through carbon sequestration. Healthy soils store organic carbon, helping to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. By practising soil conservation,
such as promoting organic matter content and reducing soil disturbance, we enhance
carbon storage and contribute to climate change mitigation efforts.

Mitigating Soil Erosion: Soil erosion is a natural process, but human activities can
accelerate it to alarming levels. Erosion leads to the loss of topsoil, which contains
essential nutrients for plant growth. Soil conservation practices, such as contour
ploughing, terracing, and cover cropping, help control erosion and preserve
valuable topsoil, ensuring long-term land productivity.

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Methods of Soil Conservation
There are several effective methods and techniques for soil conservation. Here are
some commonly used methods: Grassed waterways

gr (sometimes also called grass waterways) are wide, shallow channels that are installed
where water runoff usually concentrates in an agricultural field. They are planted with
permanent vegetation, meaning they might be mowed, but the plants are never plowed
or killed intentionally

Stone lines are constructed along the contours to slow down the speed of runoff,
reduce soil erosion, and enhance water infiltration. In addition, the stone barrier blocks
and settles down the sediments transported from the upper slopes. Stone constructions
are often used to rehabilitate eroded and abandoned land

Trash lines are ideally 0.5m to 1.0m wide and 0.5m high. Advantages of using trash lines
They conserve top soil by trapping or reducing the speed of run-off. When they compose
they turn into manure and boost soil fertility. Trash lines increase soil water infiltration
since they tend to hold the water longer

Bund is an engineering measure of soil conservation, used for creating obstruction across
the path of surface runoff to reduce the velocity of flowing water. It retains the running
off water in the watershed and thus to helps to control soil erosion. Bunds are simply
embankment like structures, constructed across the land slope

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Crop rotation

Instead of planting the same crop year after year on the same plot of land, crop rotation
involves planning out growing seasons for different crops. This method of sustainable
agricultureExternal link:open_in_new requires long-term planning, with crops changed
every season. In addition to improving soil health and organic matter, crop
rotationExternal link:open_in_new reduces the need for fertilizer and pesticides,
lowering costs. It also helps prevent excess chemicals from entering water supplies,
improving water quality.

Contour Plowing: Plowing along the contour lines of the land helps to slow down
water runoff, reduce erosion, and retain moisture in the soil. This technique involves
creating furrows or ridges that follow the natural contours of the land.

Terracing: Terracing is the construction of broad, level platforms on steep slopes. By

creating terraces, water runoff is slowed down, allowing it to infiltrate the soil and
reducing erosion. Terraces also help to retain moisture and provide flat areas for planting
crops.

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Windbreaks: Windbreaks are rows of trees or shrubs planted along the edges of fields or
across wind-exposed areas. They help to reduce wind speed, minimise wind erosion and
protect the soil. Windbreaks also provide habitat for wildlife and contribute to
biodiversity.

Strip Cropping: Strip cropping involves planting different crops in alternating strips or
bands across a field. This method helps to break up the flow of water and reduce
erosion. The alternating strips of different crops also help to improve nutrient uptake and
reduce pest and disease problems.

Conservation Tillage: Conservation tillage practices involve reducing or eliminating

the amount of soil disturbance during planting and cultivation. This includes techniques
such as no-till, where seeds are planted directly into untilled soil, and reduced tillage,
where minimal soil disturbance occurs. Conservation tillage helps to maintain soil
structure, reduce erosion, and conserve moisture.

Cover Crops: Planting cover crops, such as legumes or grasses, during fallow periods or
between cash crops, helps to protect the soil from erosion, improve soil fertility, and
increase organic matter content. Cover crops also capture nutrients, prevent weed
growth, and enhance soil microbial activity.

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Mulching: Applying a layer of organic or inorganic material, such as straw, wood
chips, or plastic, on the soil surface is known as mulching. Mulch helps to conserve soil
moisture, reduce erosion, regulate soil temperature, suppress weed growth, and improve
soil structure.

Conservation Buffer Strips: Buffer strips are areas of vegetation, such as grass or
trees, established along the edges of fields, water bodies, or sensitive areas. These strips
act as barriers, filtering runoff, reducing erosion, and preventing the movement of
pollutants into water bodies.

Nutrient Management: Proper nutrient management is essential for soil conservation. It

involves applying fertilizers based on soil nutrient testing and crop requirements to avoid
over-application, which can lead to nutrient runoff and pollution. Balanced nutrient
management helps maintain soil fertility, minimize nutrient losses, and protect water
quality.

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Soil Erosion Control Structures: Various physical structures, such as contour bunds,
terraces, check dams and sediment basins, can be constructed to control water flow,
trap sediment, and reduce erosion in specific areas.

Wetlands restoration

This is defined as “removing a threat or preventing the decline of wetland conditions.”

Wetlands provide a habitat for living creatures of all types. They also act as buffers,
protecting farmlands from floods.

Forest cover reestablishment

In areas where soil has degraded, the reestablishment of forest cover can improve soil
and restore ecosystem health. This method provides shade for crops and is particularly
useful for forest farming which cultivates high-value crops, such as those used for
medicinal purposes.

Earthworms

Earthworms are among the most productive organisms in soil. They digest plant
matter, releasing essential nutrients into the soil, and their tunnel networks create air
channels that help water move through the soil.

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Benefits of Soil Conservation
Soil conservation offers numerous benefits that positively impact the environment,
agriculture, and society. Here are five key benefits of soil conservation:

Sustaining Agricultural Productivity: Soil conservation practices help maintain soil

fertility, structure, and health, leading to sustained agricultural productivity. By
reducing erosion, nutrient depletion, and soil degradation, farmers can continue to
produce high-quality crops and ensure food security for growing populations.

Preventing Soil Erosion: Soil erosion is a significant concern that leads to the loss of
topsoil, which is rich in nutrients and essential for plant growth. Soil conservation
measures, such as contour ploughing, terracing, and cover cropping, effectively
reduce erosion, preserving valuable soil resources for future generations.

Enhancing Water Quality: Soil conservation plays a vital role in maintaining water
quality. By preventing erosion, soil particles and pollutants are retained on-site, reducing
sedimentation in water bodies. This leads to cleaner water, improved aquatic
ecosystems, and enhanced drinking water quality for communities.

Mitigating Climate Change: Soil conservation contributes to climate change mitigation

by promoting carbon sequestration. Healthy soils act as carbon sinks, absorbing and
storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Practices such as increasing organic matter
content, implementing conservation tillage, and restoring degraded lands enhance
carbon storage capacity, helping to mitigate climate change.

Conserving Biodiversity and Ecosystems: Soil conservation practices preserve

natural habitats, including forests, grasslands, wetlands, and other ecosystems. Healthy
soils support diverse plant and animal life, contributing to biodiversity conservation. By
protecting soil, we safeguard the habitats and ecological balance of various species,
maintaining the overall health and resilience of ecosystems.

Improves soil quality and productivity. Increased fertility improves crop

yields, reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, and saves money.

Optimizes water infiltration. Better filtration increases water storage, preventing

soil from drying out.

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Provides food and shelter. Soil-producing vegetation provides nourishment to all
types of animals and offers protection from the elements.

Soil conservation also helps to minimize the following:

Loss of fertile and arable land, impacting crops and livestock production, as
well as the economy

Pollution and sedimentation flowing in streams and rivers, affecting fish and
other species

Erosion and environmental

Additionally, soil conservation offers indirect benefits such as improved water

management, reduced flooding, and increased resilience to extreme weather events. It
also contributes to sustainable land use practices, rural development, and economic
stability for agricultural communities.

Overall, soil conservation is crucial for sustaining agricultural productivity, preserving

ecosystems, ensuring clean water resources, mitigating climate change, and promoting a
healthier environment for present and future generations.

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 WATER HARVESTING AND STORAGE
Water Harvesting Techniques

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