Discuss four ways to protect soil resources from erosion

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Although water and wind erosion cannot be eliminated, they can be greatly reduced. The most important crop management strategy for minimizing both wind and water erosion is to maintain a permanent vegetative cover over the soil. Vegetation cover prevents the initial loosening of soil particles and reduces wind and water velocity. When perennial crops cannot be maintained, leaving annual crop residues on the field also reduces erosion. Another strategy to reduce erosion is to maintain a high soil organic matter content. A high organic matter soil will have an increased soil aggregation, water infiltration, and soil particle stability. High soil organic matter can be achieved through the growth of perennial crops and the addition of crop residues. Other strategies for soil conservation include conservation tillage, crop rotation, contour tillage, strip cropping, and grass waterways and windbreaks.