topic 5.15 video 1: sustainable agriculture
objective: to describe sustainable agricultural and food production practices
concept | image | describe how each of these decreases soil erosion.
contour plowing | image |
windbreaks | image |
strip cropping | image with corn, oats, hay labels |
terracing | image |
no till agriculture | image |

Question

Accepted Answer

### Contour Plowing
# Brief Explanations:
Plowing along the contour lines (elevation contours) of a slope creates small ridges and furrows that act as barriers to slow down the flow of water. This reduces the velocity of runoff, which in turn decreases the amount of soil that is carried away by the water, thus minimizing soil erosion.
# Answer:
Plowing along slope contours slows water runoff, reducing soil erosion.

### Windbreaks
# Brief Explanations:
Windbreaks are rows of trees or shrubs planted perpendicular to the prevailing wind direction. They act as a barrier to reduce wind speed. By lowering wind velocity, they decrease the wind's ability to pick up and transport soil particles, thereby reducing wind - induced soil erosion.
# Answer:
Windbreaks reduce wind speed, limiting wind - driven soil erosion.

### Strip Cropping
# Brief Explanations:
Strip cropping involves growing different crops in alternating strips. Some crops (like legumes or grasses) have extensive root systems or provide ground cover. These strips break up the slope and slow down water flow. Also, the different crop heights and root structures help to hold the soil in place, reducing both water - and wind - induced erosion.
# Answer:
Alternating crop strips slow water, hold soil, reducing erosion.

### Terracing
# Brief Explanations:
Terracing involves creating flat - topped platforms (terraces) on steep slopes. These terraces reduce the slope length and gradient. By doing so, they slow down the flow of water, preventing it from gaining enough speed to erode the soil. The terraces also act as small catchments for water, allowing it to infiltrate the soil rather than run off and carry soil with it.
# Answer:
Terraces reduce slope steepness, slow water, reducing erosion.

### No - till Agriculture
# Brief Explanations:
No - till agriculture is a practice where the soil is not plowed or tilled between growing seasons. Leaving the previous crop's residue (stems, roots, etc.) on the soil surface provides a protective cover. This cover reduces the impact of raindrops on the soil (which can dislodge soil particles) and also slows down water runoff. Additionally, the undisturbed root systems from the previous crop help to hold the soil in place, reducing erosion.
# Answer:
Residue cover and undisturbed roots reduce erosion.

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QUESTION IMAGE

Question

Explanation:

Contour Plowing

Answer:

Windbreaks