Question

Tilling was used to loosen the soil so that seeds could be planted easily and mix fertilizers into the soil. how does tilling negatively impact the environment? (4 points) birds eat all the planted seeds and cause low crop harvests. plant growth decreases due to the loosened soil. precipitation washes soil nutrients into nearby waterways. the loosened soil provides organisms with a habitat.

Answer 1

Tilling negatively impacts the environment by increasing soil erosion, contributing to nutrient runoff, and elevating greenhouse gas emissions. No-till farming is suggested as a sustainable alternative that can help to address these concerns.

Step-by-step explanation:

Tilling the soil for agricultural purposes has several negative environmental impacts, despite its initial benefits in preparing the land for planting. One of the significant drawbacks is how tillage impacts soil composition and erosion. When the soil is loosened, it becomes more susceptible to being washed away by precipitation, which not only depletes the land of its nutrients but can also lead to the leaching of these nutrients into nearby waterways. This nutrient runoff can contribute to problems such as algal blooms and eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, tilling can result in increased greenhouse gas emissions due to the rapid decomposition of organic matter in the soil, as more carbon and nitrous oxides are released into the atmosphere. This contributes to global warming and the broader issues it presents.

Moreover, repeated tilling can harm soil structure, reduce biodiversity, and lead to the disruption of natural soil organisms. This disruption can decrease the soil's fertility over time, making it less productive for farming. To combat these issues, many advocate for no-till farming or low-tillage methods, which can help to sequester carbon in the soil, reduce compaction, and prevent topsoil erosion.