Managing Soil and Land

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Soil is the material on the surface of the Earth on which plants can grow. It is the base for plant growth and supports forests, crops, and many living organisms.

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Soil is produced by the weathering of rocks. Over time, plants, animals, and weathering help form soil slowly.

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Soil is the entry point for most materials into food webs. Plants absorb water and minerals from soil, and animals depend on plants for food.

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Soil erosion is the relocation of soil through the movement of water or wind. It means the top layer of soil is removed by natural events or human activities.

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Rain is the largest cause of erosion because water is about 800 times heavier than air. When rainwater flows, it can move loose soil easily.

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They can cause serious soil loss, reduced soil fertility, and harmful erosion. The land becomes less productive and may later suffer from desertification.

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Terracing cuts a hill slope into a number of flat steps. These terraces slow down water flow and reduce soil erosion on steep land.

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Contour ploughing is done along the outline of the land on slopes. It slows rainwater runoff and prevents soil from being washed away.