Test 2 Flashcards
(35 cards)
What is soil
meter of biochemically altered regolith
What are the uses of soil
Crop growth, filter water, regulate aquifer quality, habitat for organisms, and C storage
What are the 5 soil forming factors
Climate, parent material (volanic rock, ash), Steepness of terrain, Time (longer time for soil to form the better), and Biota (life that is there)
How does the steepness of the terrain affect plant life
Small relief (difference in highest and lowest spot) is better for soil formation
What is the optimal climate for soil development
Region with precipitation to evaporation ratio of one
What is the P:E ratio in Virginia vs Nevada
In virginia its 4-5 meaning much more rain than evaporation while in Nevada its well below one meaning much more precipitation than rain
How do grass roots help the soil
Grass roots are tall allowing them to grab nutrients from deep below the soil. When the grass dies the nutrients is left at the top of the soil
What time frame was the Dust Bowl
early 1930s
How much wind damage was done due to the dust bowl
Wind erosion damaged about 80% of the high plains removing more than 2 inches of topsoil
What caused the chain reaction that lead to the dust bowl
Homestead act of 1862 which created the transcontinental railroad; banks started making money from the railroad and financing houses
What crops were mostly used due to the homestead act
What which was not adapted to dry climates and does not have roots as deep as the grass that was there
What is el nino and la nina
El nino is the warmer climate while la nina is the colder climate. Used to predict if a desert or rain will come, if there is cold water a desert will come, if warm water then rain; cycles are about 7-11 years
What is evapotranspiration and how did it contribute to the dust bowl
When plants cool the Earth’s air by evaporating water; there were no plants leaving the climate very dry
What was the aim of the New Deal in terms of the dust bowl
Help farmers that were not getting paid enough for their crops and were not getting much relief from the government and focus on the environment
What were the societal implications of the dust bowl
People that fleeded the dust bowl were called okies and label as scum, dirty, and were segregated agaisnt similarly like Black people at the time
How did the soil conservation service persuade farmers to use their tactics
Through education and monetary incentives
How did the Civilian Conservation Corp help during times of the dust bowl
Gave work to the unemployed in which they were tasked with planting trees, stocking water sources with fish, fighting fires…
What was the Indian Reorganization Act’s goal and how did they pursue that goal
To reduce the number of livestock on the Navajo reservation to an amount that the land could handle; pursued by reducing livestock rather than monetary incentives or cooperation like with farmers
What is sustainable Agriculture
- satisfies human food and fiber needs; enhancing QOL of society and farmers
- enhances environmental quality
- Makes the most efficient use of nonrewnewable and farmer resources
- Sustains the economic viability of farm operations
what are the impacts of conventional agriculture
high levels of erosion and water use, low N fixation in the soil, negative impacts on biodiversity and health due to chemicals used
Why do farmers use conventional agriculture
engrained habits, concern about losing money if switch to other method, bad policies when it comes to crop insurance
What is conservation agriculture
Using alternative techniques such as no till which causes less erosion due to less plant uptake and leaves organisms in ground
What are the pros and cons of conservation agriculture
lower water, fertilization, herbicide, tractor, and fuel use but slightly lower yields
What is stopping farmers from using conservation ag
takes about 5 years for soil to reach ideal environment, lack of human capital (know how) to implement system, many farmers are renting land and this takes time to give back
