EPA column
Fertile soil is one of the world’s most important natural resources. It has become most important to conserve and protect it over the years as the world’s population grows. An increase in human population has led to the use of more of our lands for housing and expansion of our agricultural lands. Healthy soil is required to support every living being on our planet. Now that it has become scarce in some parts of the world, we must all practice good soil conservation today. Soil covers a major portion of the earth’s land surface. As a natural resource it supports most of the planet’s life either directly or indirectly. Life here depends upon soil for food. Plants are rooted in soil and obtain needed nutrients there and animals get their nutrients from plants or from other animals that eat plants. Some animals make their homes or are sheltered in the soil. Microbes in the soil cause the breakdown and decay of dead organisms, a process that in turn adds more nutrients to the soil.

Soil is a mixture of mineral and organic materials plus air and water. There are two important processes that lead to the formation of soils. There is the decomposition of organic materials and weathering which is the breaking down of rocks by chemical and physical means. The contents of soil will vary from one location to another and may constantly be changing in one location due to the weather. There are many different kinds and types of soils. Each has certain characteristics including a specific colour and composition. Different kinds of soils support the growth of different types of plants and also determine how well that plant life grows.

Soil conservation deals with caring for the soil so as to prevent excessive erosion and nutrient loss. Soil conservation is the best way to make sure that we have the land we need to meet our needs for food, clothing and dwelling. Some ways of helping to prevent soil erosion and thus conserve our soil would be: planting trees, practicing crop rotation, contour ploughing and controlled grazing.

Fertile soil is an essential natural resource required to feed the world’s growing population. We can all help to protect our soil from erosion and pollution.

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/education/squirm/skQ13.html

You can also share your ideas and questions by sending your letters to: “Our Environment”, C/o EIT Division. Environmental Protection Agency, 7 Broad and Charles Street, Charlestown, GEORGETOWN. Or email us at eit.epaguyana@gmail.com with your questions and comments.