Soil Resources and Conservation

Soil Erosion

• Human activities that can lead to an increase in soil erosion include:
  • Deforestation
  • Overgrazing
  • Construction
  • Mining
• Plants play a crucial role in preventing soil erosion by:
  • Holding soil in place with their roots
  • Providing a protective cover of vegetation
  • Stabilizing the soil
• Bare or exposed soil is especially vulnerable to erosion because:
  • It lacks a protective cover of vegetation
  • It is more susceptible to water and wind erosion
  • The soil is not held in place by roots
• Actions that can speed up erosion include:
  • Removing vegetation
  • Compacting the soil
  • Increasing the flow of water
• Conserving and protecting soil for future generations is important because:
  • Soil is a non-renewable resource
  • It takes centuries to form just a few inches of soil
  • Soil is essential for food production and ecosystem health
• Human activities that can leave the soil exposed and speed up erosion include:
  • Deforestation
  • Overgrazing
  • Construction
  • Mining
• The main reason why soil is especially vulnerable to erosion when it is bare or exposed is:
  • Lack of a protective cover of vegetation
• Actions that can lead to an increase in erosion include:
  • Deforestation
  • Overgrazing
  • Construction
  • Mining
• Plants help in preventing soil erosion by:
  • Holding soil in place with their roots
  • Providing a protective cover of vegetation
  • Stabilizing the soil