Soil is one of the most valuable natural resources without which we all cannot survive. Soil is essential in providing nutrients to trees, plants, crops and is the only surviving factor for millions of micro-organisms in the ecosystem. Soil is a mixture that contains minerals, humus, organic and inorganic matter and living organism and there are different type of soil depending on its texture and contents based on different geographic locations around the globe. Various natural calamities that take place from the effect of wind, water and other calamities causes soil erosion.
Soil is classified in 4 types sandy soil, silt soil, clay soil and loamy soil. Without soil farmers cannot produce crops and without crops living beings cannot survive and hence it is important to conserve soil for a better future.
What is Soil Conservation?
Soil conservation is the prevention of loss of the top most layer of the soil from erosion or prevention of reduced fertility caused by over usage, acidification, salinization or other chemical soil contamination.
– Wikipedia
In simple language, this means to save soil in all possible ways and preserve it in most natural quality.
Importance of Soil Conservation:
Soil conservation is a practice of protecting and improving soil quality, it helps in reducing soil contamination and depletion. Conservation of soil involves various techniques to preserve the fertility of soil & prevent soil erosion.
Below are some of the reasons explaining why soil conservation is important:
- Soil is key to carbon cycle: Soil breaks down the organic matter which is beneficial for life of microorganisms, carbon dioxide is released in the atmosphere and then it helps to create nutrients and minerals to feed plants and crops. Through a process called sequestration soil naturally absorbs carbon dioxide and thus helps in reducing greenhouse gases.
- Improves soil quality and productivity: Soil is a home to algae, fungi, unicellular and multicellular organisms that are invisible to naked eyes which improves drainage, soil structure and makes soil more fertile as well as productive.
- Soil helps in natural infiltration of water: Soils also filters toxins and impurities from flowing river water and helps in providing drinkable water to us.
- Soil helps in providing food and shelter: Plants and crops on which the life of humans and animals are dependent cannot be produced without soil. Biodiversity depends on soil and hence conserving soil is very vital to maintain the right balance in ecosystem. Soil is used in making bricks and other construction materials for buildings.
Through soil conservation, we can work to minimize the impact of climate change and support the long-term needs of society.
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