Soil Conservation

Why is soil conservation important?

Sheet erosion is the removal of the thin layer of topsoil by raindrop splash or water run-off.

Wind erosion is the detachment and movement of soil by wind.

Gully erosion occurs when small streams unite and create a stronger flow, cutting a channel down which water flows during or just after rain

The soils of our planet have formed over thousands of years in conditions which have long since changed. The destruction of soils through man's misuse, however, can take place in just a few years, and in most cases this process is permanent or at best is difficult to correct.

The most critical factor in protecting soils from erosion by water and wind is the maintenance of cover (plant residues, pasture and forest litter) in close contact with the soil surface.

Practice:

* contour plowing

* reduced tillage or no tillage,

* using windbreaks to reduce wind speeds at the land surface,

* allowing soils to rest

* promote humus production

Here are some additional resources on the web

http://www.hintze-online.com/sos/soils-online.html

http://nscss.org/ssource.html

http://www.bsyse.wsu.edu/~saxton/soilwatr/

If you have questions, comments, please send to

bbatke@worldnet.att.net