human activities that effect soil fertility

• aeration plouing and drainage

  makes soil more aerobic- increases rate of nitrogen fixation, nitrification and the decomposition of dead organic matter
• soil nutrient levels


  adding fertilizers or more organic matter increases the nutrient levels or leaching
• irrigation


  increases fertility where water is the limiting factor on growth. water dissolves nutrients for the plant to absorb
• soil compaction

  heavy machinery or high livestock densities cause compaction which reduces aeration and makes waterlogging more likely
• pH control


  helps ensure nutrients are soluble but no too easily leaches