Soil Degradation & Conservation

Pesticides

• Chemicals that kill organisms that attack or compete with plants we value.

• Natural substances that promote plant growth.

• Fertilizers that enhance soil quality.

• Herbicides that specifically target weeds.

Silt

• Consists of particles 0.002 to 0.5 mm in diameter.

• Consists of particles 0.5 to 1 mm in diameter.

• Consists of particles less than 0.002 mm in diameter.

• Consists of particles 1 to 2 mm in diameter.

Shelterbell

• Rows of trees or other tall plants that are planted to slow the wind.

• A type of bell used in shelters during storms.

• A decorative structure built for aesthetic purposes.

• A type of bird that nests in trees.

Soil

• A complex plant-supporting system made up of disintegrated rock, remains, wants or organisms, water, gases, nutrients, and microorganisms.

• A mixture of sand and clay used for construction.

• A type of rock formed from volcanic activity.

• A layer of ice that covers the ground in cold climates.

Salinization

• The buildup of salts in upper soil horizons.

• The process of soil erosion due to water runoff.

• The increase of organic matter in soil.

• The leaching of nutrients from the soil.

Parent Material

• The base geological material in a particular location.

• A type of soil that is rich in nutrients.

• A layer of rock that is formed from volcanic activity.

• The top layer of soil that supports plant life.

Intercropping

• The planting of different crops in mixed arrangements.

• The practice of planting the same crop in rows.

• A method of crop rotation to improve soil health.

• The use of chemical fertilizers to enhance growth.

Cover Crop

• Crops planted to reduce erosion after a field has been harvested.

• Crops that are grown primarily for livestock feed.

• Crops that are used to improve soil fertility through nitrogen fixation.

• Crops that are harvested for their seeds or fruits.

Soil Degradation

• The improvement of soil characteristics for better plant growth.

• The deterioration of the soil characteristics needed for plant growth or other ecosystem services.

• The process of adding nutrients to the soil to enhance fertility.

• The complete removal of soil from a given area.

Bedrock

• The continuous mass of solid rock that makes up the Earth's crust.

• A type of sedimentary rock found in riverbeds.

• A layer of soil rich in organic material.

• A geological formation made up of loose gravel and sand.