EESA01H3 Lecture Notes - Soil Conservation, Percy Schmeiser, Evolutionary Arms Race
27 Nov 2012
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Document Summary
Soil erosion- two factors wind and water. Agriculture soil is a non point source. Make an estimate of the erodibility of the soil. More erosion if there is a slope. Soil with plants is less susceptible to erosion (because roots hold it into place) In the prairies, there was a lot of grasses but when the pioneers moved in they removed the grass to plant vegetables. Drought + high prices (depression) so no one planted anymore. This caused the soil to blow away (topsoil) Then grasshoppers came and eat everything that was left. Crop rotation: soybeans, corn and wheat (here) because legumes(soybeans) fix nitrogen, the others keep nutrients in and keep the soil healthy. Contour farming: around hills (to avoid erosion) and it retains the water-slows down the erosive process. Intercropping: plant things together that are mutually beneficial to each other.
