THEME : LIVING THINGS, LIFE PROCESSES AND THE ENVIRONMENT
FOCUS QUESTION
Soil is a valuable
resource. We need soil so that we can grow crops for our food and to feed
animals. The plants that grow in soil can help[ reduce carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere and protect us from high winds and waves. Many animals need soil in
order to survive. Soil can easily be spoiled and this is called degradation.
Soil that is damaged can easily be blown or washed away. This is called erosion.
Some causes of soil
degradation include slash and burn, soil exhaustion, climate change, soil
erosion, deforestation, chemical fertilizer and pesticide use.
There are many ways to
solve the problem of soil degradation. These include terracing, drainage
system,, contour farming, alternate crop rotation, agro-forestry, using compost
from animals and plants as fertilizer.
Listen to a song which speaks of soil degradation (youtube video-“Soil degradation song), then discuss what message the song is conveying. Teacher led discussion will follow to generate a meaning for soil degradation.
Examine different soils depicted below and describe their appearance.
Will things planted come to maturity on these soil?
How did all this happen?
Watch this video entitled “Soil Degradation 2” to glean information on what soil degradation is, how it happens, and how humans contribute to it. As you listen, try to glean information to populate the table below.
WHAT IS SOIL DEGRADATION? |
|
CAUSES OF SOIL DEGRADATION |
|
EFFECTS OF SOIL DEGRADATION |
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COMBATTING /PREVENTING SOIL DEGRADATION |
|
In groups, present the information gleaned in a form/media of your choice, ensuring that you state definition and the different causes of soil degradation.
Students will use materials presented to do further research on the following: soil erosion, deforestation, slash and burn, soil exhaustion, chemical fertilizer and pesticide use as contributing factors to soil degradation. Classify them as human factors and natural factors.
1. Use the words below to fill the blank spaces. Use each word only once.
Human ,
soil erosion , quantity , overgrazing , deforestation, |
The decline of soil _____ or quality is referred to as soil
degradation. Some ___ activities like _________ can contribute to soil
degradation. ____ is also another factor that can cause soil degradation. |
2.
The following are factors contributing to soil degradation. Briefly explain what each is and how it can be solved.
(a) Soil erosion: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Solution: ______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
(b) Soil exhaustion: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Solution:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(c) Chemical fertilizer and pesticide use: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Solution: __________________________________________________________________
1. Examine the diagram below carefully. After analyzing, use it to determine if it supports or not support the statements in the table that follows. Simply place a [ü] if it supports or not.
STATEMENTS |
Supported by diagram |
Not supported by diagram |
Rain is a human factor that causes
erosion |
|
|
Grazing livestock is a human factor
that contributes to erosion. |
|
|
Humans contribute to soil erosion |
|
|
If it were not for humans, soil
erosion would not exist. |
|
|
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