Final answer:
Water retention is critical for managing rainfall, supporting ecosystems, and preventing environmental issues like floods and erosion. The soil's ability to absorb and release water is key, but intensive cultivation can reduce this capacity. No-till farming is vital in preserving soil moisture and water retention.
Step-by-step explanation:
Water retention serves a vital ecological function, thanks to soil's extraordinary ability to absorb rainwater. Earth receives ample rainfall annually that could cover its surface with a meter of water. The soil's water retention capacity allows for the absorption and gradual release of this water to support ecosystems, including plants, underground aquifers, and rivers.
Intensive cultivation practices that lower soil organic matter content can harm this natural process, contributing to issues such as floods, erosion, and pollution, which further diminish organic matter in the soil. To maintain the earth's critical water retention capacity, practices like no-till farming are key because they prevent the loss of soil moisture and protect the soil's capacity to manage water effectively.