EARTH
SCIENCE
John Ferdie D. Taraya
Soil is a necessary resource because it helps sustain life
on Earth including humans, animals and plants.
Human Activities
that
Affect the Quality
and Quantity of Soil
identify human activities, such as farming,
construction of structures, and waste
disposal, that affect the quality
and quantity of soil. S11/12ES-Ih-17
At the end of the learning session, the students
should be able to:
evaluate why soil is a necessary resource;
analyze how people’s use of land affects soil; and
devise a sustainable plan on soil protection and
conservation for future generation through poster.
SOI
L
defined as the organic and inorganic
materials on the surface of the earth
that provide the medium for plant
growth.
Soil develops slowly over time and is
composed of many different materials
through the process of weathering.
Loss of nutrients and
organic nutrients, salinization,
acidification, pollution,
compaction and subsidence
are other soil degradation
processes cause by erosion.
FARMING CONSTRUCTIO
N
WASTE
There are methods of soil
conservation and protection that
can be observed in order to protect
and conserve our soil at the same
time. The goal here is to reduce
erosion and to ensure
the soil’s fertility.
FARMING
FOREST BUFFER STRIPS NO TILL FARMING
PROTECTION
Trees as well as other Buffers are strips or No-till farming is an
plants and vegetation in corridors of permanent approach that allows
the forest are important in vegetation used to reduce crops to remain in place
the creation of new soil as water and wind erosion. for a season. This
leaves and other They provide protection keeps the soil from being
vegetation rot and where stream banks exist. left bare and unprotected.
decompose. Hence, soil They can be created
qualities are ensured with grass, trees and
when forest are protected shrubs.
and conserved.
FEWER CONCRETE PLANT WINDBREAK TERRACE PLANTING
SURFACES
Soil requires an adequate AREAS
Windbreaks are composed This type of planting is
amount of water in order to of shrubs, plants and trees. done by maximizing the
function properly. Lots of They work in combination topography of the land. It
concrete surfaces, especially and serve a conservation benefits from the way the
in residential areas make it purpose. These will work rain water flows naturally.
difficult for water to get to together to slow the force This is a way to protect the
the soil. Using paving stones of wind over ground areas. soil from erosion. It is also a
for patios and gardens work This is a method that can proven method to
to protect the soil. They are also work to prevent encourage growth from
also a tool to prevent soil erosion of the soil. moist soil areas.
erosion in specific areas.
PLANT TREES CROP ROTATION WATER THE SOIL
Simply planting trees is a Crop rotation is a process This is a simple process
good conservation that works to conserve that provides a lot of
method. As the tree grows, soil. It is accomplished by benefits to the soil.
its roots become even planting and growing a Watering your soil
more secure in the soil. serious of different crops along with plants and
This soil is protected in in the same soil. This vegetables is important.
numerous ways because of process prevents This helps to not only
the trees’ existence. overgrowth of pathogens nourish the soil but to
Erosion is prevented from and a lack of fertility in the protect it. Moist soil is not in
this planting process. soil, overall. danger of erosion due to
wind activity.
MAINTAIN pH INDIGENOUS CROPS AFFORESTATION
Soil pH or soil reaction is Indigenous crops are Planting trees is a method
an indication of the acidity native crop options that of conserving the soil.
or alkalinity of soil and is enhance the soil. Planting Afforestation is another of
measured in pH units. A these is a way to ensure tree planting method
pH range of approximately conservation efforts. They wherein the areas under
6 to 7 promotes the should be planted even trees are protected. This
readiest when diverse crops is usually done by
availability of plant are being planted, as well. planting foliage in forest
nutrients. The pH levels in undergrowth areas. It
the soil can be affected by encourages healthy soil
a number of pollutants and and water absorption.
MONITOR GRAZING DAMS FERTILIZERS
Animal grazing plays a Dams are important Not all fertilizer products
critical role in conserving resources when it comes to are effective for
soil. Monitoring the areas soil conservation. These conservation efforts. The
where cows and other structures work to prevent composition of these
animals graze is soil erosion. This is especially fertilizers can be the
important. This helps to important in areas where problem. The use of organic
prevent depletion of the rivers exist. Flooding of fertilizer improves the
soil. It also addresses the rivers has been the cause for quality of soil because it is
issue of hoof damage, many instances of soil composed of readily
which can occur to the erosion. Dams offer biodegradable materials
soil. additional protection. make better nutrient
NO SOIL CONTROL STORM MONITOR GROWTH
ACOMPACTING
simple conservation WATERof allowing water to
Instead When crops or plants grow
method that some puddle in yards or gardens, it normally, they have a
gardeners and farmers is important to control it. healthy appearance. It
apply is not to Storm water can easily cause there is a problem with the
compact the soil. This is a flooding or problems in these growth, often the soil is the
protection method that is areas. Setting up large issue. Checking the salient
helpful. You can do this by container to hold excess composition and fertility is
creating dedicated paths in water in problem locations is important. This is done
your garden. This helps you helpful. This water can be through regular monitoring
to not walk on wet soil reused for watering gardens of the soil and overall plant
causing it to be compacted. and yards. growth.
CONTOUR PLOWING SALINITY MANAGEMENT
This practice of farming on slopes The salinity of soil increases due to
considers the slope gradient and the excessive accumulation of salts in the
elevation of soil along the slope. It is the soil. This has a negative effect on the
method of plowing across the contour metabolism of crops. The salinity of soil
lines of a slope. This method helps in is detrimental to the vegetative life in it.
slowing the water runoff and prevents The death of vegetation leads to soil
soil from being washed away along the erosion. Hence, salinity management is
slope. Contour plowing also helps in an indirect way of conserving soil.
percolation of water in the soil.
PROMOTE HELPFUL SOIL ORGANISMS
Nitrogen-fixing and denitrifying bacteria are important constituents of the
nitrogen cycle. They live in soil. Bacteria and fungi help keep the soil
healthy. Organisms like earthworms help decompose organic material in
the soil. They aid soil aeration and help it maintain porosity. Rodents too,
help soil the same way. This increases the absorbing capacity of soil.
Earthworms, through aeration of soil, enhance the availability of
macronutrients. These helpful organisms boost soil fertility and help in soil
Using the checklist below, put a
check mark (✓) on the column
whether the given activity affects
the soil or not.
To help increase the awareness, you
are tasked to make a poster that
shows the importance of soil and how
it will be conserved and protected.
Using your poster, you may post it on
different social media platforms. You
may also print the material in your
community and post it on different
sites where people can be informed
and raise their awareness.
Which process involves removing
vegetation and replacing it with
roads and buildings?
A. Afforestation
B. Construction
C. Irrigation
D. Mulching
In what way does improper waste
disposal affect soil quality?
A. It causes erosion that makes soil
infertile.
B. It contaminates soil with harmful
chemicals.
C. It increases biodiversity in
farmlands.
D. It improves soil aeration and
drainage.
Which statement best explains the
effect of excessive farming on soil?
A. It leads to nutrient depletion after
repeated planting.
B. It provides shelter for soil
organisms.
C. It increases organic matter over
time.
D. It reduces chances of erosion.
Which combination of human
activities would most rapidly
degrade soil quality?
A. Gardening, composting, tree
planting
B. Continuous farming, waste
dumping, deforestation
C. Irrigation, mulching, crop rotation
D. Fishing, hunting, bird watching
If a community wants to prioritize
soil conservation, which action
would be least effective?
A. Encouraging waste segregation
and composting
B. Planting cover crops in open fields
C. Increasing concrete coverage for
urban growth
D. Promoting organic farming
practices
