what is the importance of soil ? suggest measures to conserve it ?
Answers
Answer:
Soil conservation is an important part of conservation cropping systems. There are many benefits for producers who choose to employ soil conservation practices on-farm.
Increased Profits:
Yields are equal to or greater than traditional tillage.
Reduce use of fuel and labor.
Requires less time.
Lower machinery repair and maintenance costs.
Potential reduction in fertilizer and herbicide costs.
Improved Environment:
Improved soil quality and productivity.
Reduced erosion.
Increased water infiltration and storage.
Improved air and water quality.
Provides food and shelter for wildlife.
Soil Forming Factors
Parent material—the rocks and deposits that formed the soil.
The climate where the soils developed.
Living organisms that changed the soils.
The topography or slope of the land.
The length of geological time the soils have been developing (age of the soil).
Properties of a Healthy Soil
High organic matter content.
Optimal nutrients and pH for plant growth.
Stable aggregates to promote water infiltration.
Large population of beneficial organisms.
No compaction layers.
No contamination.
Many soils in Alabama have low levels of soil organic matter due to the warm climate, coarse-textured soils and intensive farming practices historically used in the state. Rebuilding soil health is important! Soil is a natural resource we must work to conserve for future generations. Practices such as reduced tillage and cover cropping can increase organic matter and improve soil health. There are several important ways producers can improve soil health.
Answer:
Soils provide anchorage for roots, hold water and nutrients. Soils are home to myriad micro-organisms that fix nitrogen and decompose organic matter, and armies of microscopic animals as well as earthworms and termites. We build on soil as well as with it and in it. Soil plays a vital role in the Earth's ecosystem.
Measures to conserve soil are as follow:-
1) Afforestation- Increase in area under forest is the best way to conserve soil. Indiscriminate felling of trees should be stopped and efforts should be made to plant trees in new areas. A minimum area of forest land for the whole country that is considered healthy for soil and water conservation is between 20 to 25 per cent but it was raised to 33 per cent in the second five year plan; the proportion being 20 per cent for the plains and 60 per cent for hilly and mountainous regions.
2) Constructing Dams- Much of the soil erosion by river floods can be avoided by constructing dams across the rivers. This checks the speed of water and saves soil from erosion.
Please mark me as the Brainliest