Gr 10 Chapter 4 Managing Soil and Land PDF

CHAPTER 4 Managing Soil and Land  Soil Erosion Soil erosion is the removal of the top fertile layer of the soil due to agents like rain, wind, human activities like deforestation, wrong agricultural practices, overgrazing, developmental or mining activities etc. Effe...

CHAPTER 4 Managing Soil and Land  Soil Erosion Soil erosion is the removal of the top fertile layer of the soil due to agents like rain, wind, human activities like deforestation, wrong agricultural practices, overgrazing, developmental or mining activities etc. Effects of soil erosion: Loss of fertility of the soil Reduces the water holding capacity Generation of wasteland and desertification Loss of biodiversity Flood during heavy rains  Soil Erosion control techniques 1) Terracing 2) contour ploughing 3) Dry farming 4) Tree planting, 5) Bunds 6) Gullies 7) Wind-breaks 8) Use of organic fertilizers.  1) Terracing This is practiced in hilly regions to prevent soil erosion during the farming processes. Fields are cut at right angles to the slope and agriculture is carried on the flat surface. This type of land scraping is called terracing. This method checks soil erosion in hill slopes.  1) Terracing Advantages Reduces soil erosion Minimizes the chances of land slide in hilly region Reduces surface runoff Reduces wastage of irrigation water Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras (Philippines) UNESCO World Heritage site  2) Contour farming or Contour ploughing This is the practice of tilling sloped land along lines of elevation in order to conserve rainwater and to reduce soil losses from surface erosion. These objectives are achieved by means of furrows, crop rows, a wheel tracks across slopes. This structural arrangement act as reservoirs to cater and retain rainwater, thus permitting increased infiltration and more uniform distribution of the water. Contour farming has been practiced for centuries in pan of the world where irrigation farming is important.  2) Contour farming or Contour ploughing Advantages Has proved to reduce fertilizer loss Reduces power and time consumption Reduces wear and tear on machines Increase crop yields Reduce erosion Reduces surface runoff  3) Dry farming This is a type of farming practiced in arid and semi arid area without irrigation by planting drought-resistant crops and maintaining a fine surface tilth or mulch that protects the natural moisture of the soil from evaporation. The choice of crop is influenced by the timing of the predominant rainfall. Example winter wheat is more suited to regions with higher winter rainfall. Wet summer may be more suitable for growing summer crops such as Sorghum, sunflower or cotton.  3) Dry farming Advantages: Suitable for places with low annual precipitation Protects the soil from erosion Retains soil moisture  4) Tree Planting It refers to the process of transplanting tree seedlings, generally forestry, land reclamation or landscaping purposes. It involves planting seedlings over an area of land where the forest has been harvested or damaged by fire or disease. Tree planting is carried out in many different parts of the world and strategies may differ widely across nations and regions and among individual reforestation companies. Tree planting creates instant forests.  4) Tree Planting Advantages Reduces soil erosion as the roots hold and bind the soil. Reduces the runoff of surface water. Reduces pollution Increases the biomass content of the soil. Absorbs carbon dioxide which is a green house gas, thus helps in reducing global warming. Provides life essential oxygen Natural habitat for wild flora and fauna  5) Bunds Bunds are small earthen barriers provided in agricultural lands with slopes ranging from 1 to 6 percent. It is a common technique to collect rainwater where it falls, increase water infiltration and prevent soil erosion. Bunds are made of stone or soil or sometimes even crop remains. The number of bunds and the distance between them depends on the slope and the soil type.  5) Bunds Advantages By building the bunds along the contour line the runoff reduces. Leads to increase water infiltration. Enhance soil moisture. Reduces soil erosion.  6) Gullies A deep ditch or channel cut in the earth by running water after a prolonged downpour. Gully formation increases the water flow rate substantially, which causes the significant deep cutting action into soil causing soil erosion. This concept is used in agriculture where gullies are dug which would be used for irrigation and channelize rainwater. Advantage: To reduce soil erosion by rainwater Recharges ground water and cost effective  7) Wind breaks A windbreak or shelterbelt is a plantation usually made up of one or more rows of trees or shrubs planted at right angle to the prevailing wind. They provide shelter from the wind and to protect soil from erosion. Usually they consist of alternate rows of trees and shrubs which reduce the velocity of the prevailing wind. They are also planted around the edges of fields or farms. Windbreaks around a home can reduce the cost of heating and cooling and save energy. Other benefits include providing habitat for wildlife.  7) Wind breaks Advantages: Reduces soil erosion from wind. Protects water and air quality by providing a barrier against airborne soil, chemical drift, odours and dust. Provides wildlife food. Diversifies agricultural landscapes Improves irrigation efficiency. May increase crop yields by 10% or more especially in dry areas. May improve photosynthesis and water use efficiency due to micro-climate changes in humidity and temperature Provides opportunities for additional income from saleable tree/ shrub products such as nuts, berries etc  8) Use of Organic fertilizers Natural fertilizers derived from dead plant and animal matter. Manure and compost made by decomposing the waste with the help of microorganisms. Made from using cow dung, agricultural crop residue, compost etc. Advantages- Prevent soil erosion Increase physical and biological nutrient storage mechanisms in soil Retain soil moisture Ecofriendly and non-polluting Lower cost than chemical fertilizers  Chemical fertilizers Organic/ bio fertilizers Chemical origin - synthesized by Natural origin - obtained by reaction of chemicals decomposition of plant and animal waste. Enters water bodies and cause Does not affect the water bodies eutrophication Causes soil salinity and make the soil Does not affect soil fertility in long unfertile after heavy application. run. Contaminate ground water Does not affect the ground water  Soil Conservation Soil conservation is set of management strategies for prevention of soil being eroded from the Earth’s surface or being chemically altered by overuse, acidification, salinization or other chemical soil contamination. It includes the following: Land use management Vegetative and Mechanical practices  Land use management Choosing a suitable land for a particular purpose is the most important in soil conservation. Land use can be mainly classified as crop land, pasture land, wood land, wildlife and recreational land. A land suitable for a single use when converted to another use becomes susceptible to erosion. For example grasslands which provide soil cover if over grazed by livestock become exposed to erosion. Land management is the process of managing the use and development of land resources in the rural and urban areas. Soil and Land-use Management is not only important for protecting the undervalued resource soil but also critical to balance food production and food security with biomass production for energy and carbon sequestration and should be considered as an important option for water management.  Vegetative practices Crop rotation Crop rotation is the practice of growing a series of different types of crops in the same area across a sequence of growing seasons.  Vegetative practices Rotation of crop is an important method for checking erosion and maintaining productivity of soil. A good rotation should include densely planted small grain crops, spreading legume crop etc, which may check soil erosion. It controls the growth of unwanted weeds and stops the pest cycle, thus reduce the menace of insects and pests. Leguminous plants play a very active part in increasing the nitrogenous content of the soil. In Maharashtra the rotation of cotton, jowar and groundnut has been proved successful.  Vegetative practices Mulching It is a method of soil conservation where dry leaves, straws, paper, stubbles, husk of the harvested crops is spread on the soil so that it is not bare and exposed to agents of erosion. Advantages: It minimize evaporation and increase the absorption of moisture. It also protect the surface of the land against the beating action of rain drops. They decay to form humus which improves the physical condition of soil. Natural mulching also helps in the infiltration of water and the reduction of evaporation.  Controlled grazing Grazing increases the soil erosion. But the grazing cannot be completely stopped in all areas. So the restricted and rotational grazing may be helpful in checking soil erosion to some extent. The area open to grazing for sometimes should be closed for the following year to facilitate regeneration and to maintain a thick ground vegetation. Rotational grazing should be practiced. Social fencing restrain on grazing of their cattle by the people. Stall feeding and rearing small herd of good breed can also help to control overgrazing.  Good tillage Tillage is the mechanical manipulation of soil by different kinds of implements. Tillage makes the soil loose and friable which helps in retention of water. The special methods of tillage practices should be followed for the conservation purposes. Tillage may consist of several types of soil manipulation such as ploughing, harrowing, cultivation etc.  Mechanical practices The mechanical practices of soil conservation include various engineering techniques and structures which are adopted to supplement the biological methods when the latter alone are not sufficient enough. The main aims of mechanical measures are the following- To allow for the maximum absorption of run off by reducing the velocity of off and to retain it for a long period in the soil. To divide a long slope into short ones so as to reduce the velocity of runoff water to the maximum.  To protect the soil against wind and water erosion.  Mechanical practices Basin listing In this method a number of small basins (water reservoirs) are dug along the contour by means of an implement called basin blister. Basins collect and retain rain water for a long period and also catch and stabilize downwardly moving soils of the slopes.  Mechanical practices Pan breaking In some areas, soils become impervious to water and are less productive because of formation of a hard sheet of clay a few feet below the surface. Such areas can be made productive and water permeable by breaking hard clay pans by means of pan breaker on contour at a distance of about 5 feet. By pan breaking drainage and percolation of rain water is improved and soil is saved from residual run-off and erosion  Mechanical practices Check dam It is a small dam designed to reduce flow of velocity of water and control soil erosion. Bags of sand, logs, boulders are placed on the path of water flow to check the rapid flow of water. Advantages- Harvest rain water Recharge ground water Cheap and made by locally available materials  Mechanical practices Strip farming It is altering crop rows between heavy rooted plants and loosely rooted plants to minimize erosion. It involves cultivating a field partitioned into long, narrow strips which are altered in crop rotation system. It is used when a slope is too steep or when there is no alternative to prevent soil erosion. Example: Hay, wheat or other forages which are altered with strips of row crops such as corn, soy beans, cotton or sugar beets.  Tree planting/Tree cropping It refers to the process of transplanting tree seedlings, generally for forestry, land reclamation of landscaping purposes. It involves planting seedlings over an area of land where the forest has been harvested or damaged by fire or disease. Tree planting is carried out in many different parts of the world, and strategies may differ widely across nations and regions and among individual reforestation companies. Tree planting creates instant forests.  Tree planting/Tree cropping Advantages Reduces soil erosion as the roots hold and bind the soil. Reduces the runoff of surface water. Reduces pollution. Increases the biomass content of the soil. Absorbs carbon dioxide which is a green house gas, thus helps in reducing global warming. One acre of tree can remove up to 2.6 tons of Carbon dioxide each year Provides life essential oxygen. An average size tree creates sufficient oxygen one year to provide oxygen for a family of four. Natural habitat for wild flora and fauna.  Foliage crops (Cover crop) Foliage refers to the leafy part of the plant or tree. These are small plats with thick ground foliage like Alfa Alfa, Groundnut, barseem etc which cover the soil in the non cropping season or in-between two plants. They can be called cover crops also. They prevent soil erosion due to agents like wind and water. They also help in retaining the soil.  Land reforms The term "land reform is used in discussing the various changes made in the cultivators relation to land in a land tenure system. Land reforms in India broadly refers to abolition of intermediary tenures, tenancy reforms, ceiling on lanholding and distribution of surplus land, consolidation of holdings, and compilation and updating of land records. Definition Land reform usually refers to redistribution of land from the rich to the poor. More broadly, it includes regulation of ownership, operation, leasing, sales, and inheritance of land.  Land reforms Objectives of Land reforms in India: To remove social inequality by eliminating elements of exploitation. Development of cooperative farming. To evolve an efficient and productive agrarian economy through legislation. To redistribute the ownership holdings and reorganizing operational holdings for maximum utilization of land.  Land reforms In the decades following independence, India passed a significant body of land reform legislation. Land policy in India has undergone broadly four phases since Independence. The first and longest phase (1950-72) consisted of land reforms that included three major efforts: abolition of the intermediaries, tenancy reform, and the redistribution of land using land ceilings. The abolition of intermediaries was relatively successful, but tenancy reform and land ceilings met with less success. The second phase (1972-85) shifted attention to bringing uncultivated land under cultivation. The third phase (1985 95) increased attention towards water and soil conservation through the Watershed Development, Drought-Prone Area Development (DPAP) and Desert-Area Development Programmes (DADP). The fourth and current phase of policy (1995 onwards) centers on debates about the necessity to continue with land legislation and efforts to improve land revenue administration and, in particular, clarity in land records.  Integrated rural development (IRD) The Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) is a rural development program of the Government of India launched in 1978 and implemented in 1980 and continued till 1999. It is a self-employment program intended to raise the income-generation capacity of the poor. The target group consists largely of small and marginal farmers, agricultural labourers and rural artisans living below the poverty line in the form of subsidy by the Government and term credit by financial institutions. Objective- To improve the economic condition of the rural poor. To make poor rural people generate an additional source of income to help them cross the poverty line. This can be achieved by all round development and economic viability of agriculture, horticulture, livestock, fisheries and sericulture.  Integrated rural development (IRD) The main objectives of the Integrated Rural Development Program are listed below- To help families who lie below the poverty line and to enhance their state of living To empower the poor by helping them develop at every level. By providing productive assets and inputs to its target groups is the helpful work done by the program. The assets provided in the program could be in the primary, secondary or tertiary sector. A kind of financial assistance to these families in the form of government subsidies as well as loans or credit from financial institutions are encouraged by the program.  Integrated rural development Following are some of the schemes undertaken under the IRDP. Training of Rural Youth for Self-Employment (TRYSEM) Scheme for Rural Artisans Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA) Council for Advancement of People's Action and Rural Technology Jawahar Rozgar Yojna Rural Sanitation Programme National Food for Work Programme (NFWP)  Role of women in conservation. Women play an important part in conservation of natural resources. They act as a resource manager from tending to fields, to collecting water and firewood. Women have strong voice in the protection of their natural resources as they are conscious of their surroundings. Women determine the consumption pattern as they directly handle the yield of their faculty. In the industrialized world, women play a significant role as consumers. They are aware of the need to reduce consumption and to avoid non sustainably harvested products. They play a catalytic role towards achievement of transformational economic, environmental and social changes required for sustainable development.  Role of community in conservation. Local communities play a significant role in forest management and land use decision. It involves participation of local communities, government, NGO at times. Joint forest management, social forestry and Agro forestry are own models of community forestry of India.  Role of community in conservation. Advantages- Local problems can be identified more easily. Local knowledge and skills can be utilized effectively. Community participation provides reliable feedback of the impact of the projects. The community provides insights for adopting new schemes. Labour force is provided by the community. Community participation is cost effective as it lowers the cost of production by improved utilization of resources and cooperation. Environment is preserved more effectively. Economically beneficial as the benefits can be reaped by the local community.  Combating deforestation 1) Reforestation: The replanting or regeneration of areas of forest which have been previously damaged or destroyed. 2) Afforestation: The growing of plants at places where there were no forests before due to lack of trees or due to adverse factors. 3) Energy plantations: It means growing selected species of trees and shrubs which are harvestable in comparably shorter time and 4)Forest harvesting of non timber forest products: Non timber products refer to plants, parts of plants, fungi and other biological material that are harvested from natural , manipulated or disturbed forest used for personal or commercial value.  Combating deforestation 5) Exploring alternatives sources of livelihood: This includes eco-development plan which include animal husbandry, diversified economic activities with introduction of high technology but small scale processing units of primary products and energy generations. are specifically meant for fuel. 6) Changing consumption patterns: By eating organic and natural food as opposed to artificially grown food which involves many chemicals. This leads to management of soil. This leads to high productivity and thus no desertification takes place and thus there is no need for deforestation  Van Mahotsava Celebrating Van Mahotsava, the tree planting festival to drive tree consciousness among people. It was started in 1950 by Dr. K. M. Munshi, to create enthusiasm among masses for forest conservation and planting trees. It is now a week long festival, celebrated between 1st July to 7th July. Avoid the use of forest land for other land use like agriculture, building dams, roads etc.  Eco club or green club It is a voluntary groups of people who work for improving the environment. Aim: To increase awareness about world’s environment.  Energy plantation Meaning- Energy plantation means growing selected species of trees and shrubs that can be harvested in a short period of time and can be directly used as fire wood or broilers or converted into methanol, ethanol, wood or producer gas so as to satisfy local energy needs in a decentralized manner. Characteristics of plants that can be used for energy plantation or Advantages: 1) Heat content of wood is similar to that of Indian coal. 2) Wood is generally low in Sulphur and not likely to pollute the atmosphere. 3) Ash from burnt wood can be used as valuable fertilizer. 4) Minimized siltation and loss of nitrogen and minerals from soil. 5) It helps in rural employment generation- It is estimated that an hectare of energy plantation can provide an employment at least seven persons. 6) Utilization of erosion prone land for raising energy plantations helps to reduce wind and water erosion, the minimizing occurrence of floods. 7) Selection of multipurpose species provide a number of by-products like oils, organic compounds, fruits, forage for livestock etc.  Forest harvesting of non timber products The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) defines non- timber forest products as: "products of biological origin other than wood derived from forests, other wooded land and trees outside forests. They may be gathered from the wild, or produced in forest plantations, agro forestry schemes and from trees outside forests." Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) also include forest plant and mushroom products and services. They include nuts, seeds, berries, mushrooms, oils, foliage, medicinal plants, peat, fuel wood and forage. Research on NTFPs focus on how it can improve rural incomes and markets, in terms of traditional knowledge or as a livelihood option for rural household needs, and as a key component of sustainable forest management and conservation strategies.  Exploring alternative sources of livelihood Most of the tribals, living in and around the forests derive most of their basic requirements such as food, fodder, fuel, fruit and fiber from the forest. Extraction, processing and marketing NTFPs are still a major source of employment and income to the vast majority of these tribal people. Therefore it is important to provide the tribal people with alternative source of lively hood to save the forest from being over used and degraded. They can be given some land for agriculture or provided opportunities as daily wage employment. They can be thought some skills like masonry, carpentry, pottery, handicrafts etc which would decrease their economic dependence on forest.  Change in consumption pattern The amount of wood removed is higher, as illegally wood removal is not recorded. Every year, 33 million acres of forests are cut down. Timber harvesting in the tropics alone contributes 1.5 billion metric tons of carbon to the atmosphere. That makes up 20% of human-made greenhouse gas emissions. Improved agricultural practices along with paper recycling and forest management-balancing the amount of wood taken out with the amount of new trees growing-could quickly eliminate the effects of deforestation. While purchasing wood products, such as furniture or flooring, buy used goods or wood certified to have been sustainably harvested. Consume Less-The easiest way to cut back on greenhouse gas emissions is simply to buy less stuff made of wood. Think green when making purchases. When purchasing essentials, such as groceries, buying in bulk can reduce the amount packaging-plastic wrapping, cardboard boxes and other unnecessary materials. Sometimes buying more means consuming less.  Managing forest grazing Overgrazing is a condition which occurs when plants are exposed to severe grazing for extended period of time or without sufficient recovery period. Causes- When the number of livestock exceed the grazing land can sustain. When the livestock is grazed over the same patch of land again and again without giving it sufficient time to regenerate. The unavailability of food drive led the cattle eat away all the available grass and even uproot the grasses. The cattle owners might be so poor that they might not be able to stall feed the cattle. Lack of knowledge and awareness of the consequences of overgrazing amongst the cattle owners.  Consequences of overgrazing Reduces usefulness and productivity of the land Decreases biodiversity of that place Leads to soil erosion and desertification. May spread invasive species of non-indigenous plants and weeds. It ultimately leads to decline of livestock rearing due to unavailability of fodder grasses.  Control of overgrazing The cattle should not be leftover to overgraze a particular area, instead rotation of grazing should be practice. Sustainable grassland production is based on grass and grass land management. Social fencing is the practice of voluntary self restrain on grazing of their cattle by the people. Stall feeding Rearing small herd of good breed can aslo help to control overgrazing. Controlled forest grazing as in National Forest Policy, 1988.  Recycling of timber Timber Timber is a wood used for building or for other engineering purposes. It is extensively used to construct houses mainly in the cold countries. Recycling of timber: Timber recycling or wood recycling is the process of turning waste timber into usable products. Recycling timber is the environmentally friendliest form of timber production. Common belief among consumers is that by purchasing recycled wood, the demand for "green timber" will fall and ultimately benefit the environment.  Alternatives to timber In building industry Prefabricated concrete and metal usits with appropriate thermal treatment could be used. Doors and window panels can be replaced by metal frames or polyvinyl materials. In the railways Wooden railway sleepers can be replaced with concrete sleepers and metal sheets could be replace ply wood and timber in wagon fabrication.  Alternatives to timber In the furniture industry Use of plastic, iron and steel furniture. Ecofriendly material like bagasse can be used to make furniture. Fixed marble or concrete seating can be made and mattress can be place over it to make it comfortable. In paper industry Materials containing natural cellulose such as bagasse, marsh reeds can be beaten pulped and made into paper. Recycling of paper saves millions of trees  Alternatives to timber Advantages- Ecofriendly: No more trees need to be cut down. Reduces deforestation and conserve forests. Very affordable Moisture content in recycled wood is practically zero compared to the moisture in a new lumber.  Alternatives to timber Drawbacks- Sometimes the ends of wall studs need to be trimmed off to stop decay and cracking, thus resulting in a shorter piece of wood, this trimming may result in pieces of wood that do not meet building codes Though the price may be less than for new wood, the process of selecting usable pieces of salvaged wood, pulling out nails, and refinishing for a new use can be laborious and time-consuming Demolition must happen in such a way as to preserve as much of the timber as possible in a building, which means more time spent dismantling a building rather than just tearing it down quickly.  Alternatives to timber Drawbacks- The trade in recycled timber is not well established everywhere, so a reliable supply of usable wood may be hard to come by for builders. There may be a stigma associated with using "used" or "cheap" wood that is perceived to be of not as high quality as "new" wood. Not all pieces of wood in a dismantled building will fit in a new building, and it may be cheaper and easier, from a design and labour perspective, to simply get new wood.  Recycling paper Recycling of paper: Paper recycling is a process of turning waste paper into new paper products. Advantages- Saves trees and conserve forests Converts waste paper into useful materials thus reducing the cost of disposal. Saves landfill space and reduce the air pollution from incineration or burning it. Offers additional job opportunities.