Question

Suppose that you have just started a summer internship working for a cooperative service, where you will collect soil samples, conduct laboratory and field tests, and make recommendations on soil conservation and agricultural practices.

(i) Identify one biome that is characterized by soil that is rich in humus. Describe how humus originated in the soil of this biome and TWO ways that humus improves conditions for plant growth.

(ii) Describe TWO soil conservation practices that are designed to decrease soil erosion. *

Answer 1

Answer: seen below

Step-by-step explanation:

I) Deciduous forest: is an example of a biome (a biome is a large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat) it's seasonal/tropical and temperate.

Humus which is an organic component of soil originated here because of plant and animal materials decomposition on the forest. Two ways humus improves soil conditions includes;

a) by providing fertility or nutrients for plants and soil organisms.

b) humus also helps the topsoil hold water.

II) Two soil conservation practices that decreases erosion include;

a) Conservation tillage, minimizes the number of tillage passes, where the soil aggregate disruption is reduced, and a minimum of 30% of the soil surface covered with residues, and this aims to reduce by disturbing the soil as little as possible when planting crops.

b) Terracing or division terrace, this helps by shaping the land to create level shelves of earth to decrease soil and water runoff, thereby decreasing erosion.