GEOG M107 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Hectare, Soil Conservation, Humus
Document Summary
Water is renewable, but limited; thus crop production is determined by water availability. Long-term loss of productivity (crop yield) caused by soil erosion should be of greater concern than temporary shortages. It"s both to preserve the soil and its productive capacity when using it. However, land erosion may happen if intensive cropping uses continue, leaving the long-term usefulness for the soil completely damaged. More detrimental than from the amount of soil lost. Ex: water or wind removes soil"s humus and clay. The soil"s fertility are within humus and clay. Thus, once these particles are removed, their entire microbial activity, structure, permeability, and water storage are compromised, and is then left behind as an eroded and degraded dust heap. Production increases came mostly by using more land. It was suggested that one hectare (2. 5 acres) of cropland per person was needed to maintain a satisfactory standard of living.
