Conservation of Soil

• Soil - a resource made up of water, air, and organic matter through the process of weathering
• Weathering - the process of breaking down rocks into tiny particles
• What are the two ways of breaking down rocks?

  Physical and chemical weathering
• Physical weathering - breaks down rocks without changing the rock's chemical composition
• Chemical weathering - breaks the rocks into smaller pieces and changes its chemical composition
• Soil erosion - The process by which soil particles are carried away by water, wind, or other agents of transport
• Soil Conservation - a way of protecting soil from erosion and deterioration
• Crop rotation - a practice of planting different crops each harvest to reduce the loss of nutrients from soil
• Vermicomposting - a process where earthworms feed and burrow through the soil and their castings (wastes) serve as fertilizer
• Tree planting - helps cover and hold the soil together, protecting it from erosion
• Planting indigenous crops (like peanuts and cassava) - helps enhance soil fertility and reduces the need of commercial fertilizers
• Watering the soil - nourishes the plants and moistens the soil which prevents erosion due to wind activity
• Organic composting - helps the soil absorb and retain its nutrients and moisture
• Using organic fertilizer - nurtures the soil with organic matter and reduces dependency on chemical products