Soil erosion and conservation

Question and answers

1) How is soil formed?

A- Soil is formed by breaking of rocks into smaller pieces, due to water, weather and
wind.These smaller pieces of rocks finally changes into soil after million of years.
2) How is soil useful to us?
A- We depend on soil for food and shelter.Plants use nutrients present in the soil to grow
and make food.Animals like ants and earthworms make their homes in the soil.
3) What is importance of top soil?
A- The upper layer of the soil is called top soil.It contains most of the nutrients and water.It
is dark in colour and rich in humus.Seeds germinate and roots of small plants grow in
this layer.
4) What is importance of subsoil?
A- The layer below the top soil is called subsoil.It is light in colour.The seeping water from
the soil bring minerals to this layer.Roots of big trees grow in this layer.
5) What is soil erosion?
A- Soil is blown away from the plains and hills by force of wind and rainwater.The wearing
or blowing away of the soil is called soil erosion.Due to soil erosion all the nutrients and
moisture present in the soil will be washed away.
6) What are the causes of soil erosion?
A- Deforestation,heavy rains,winds,suns heat are the causes of soil erosion.
7) What is soil conservation?
A- Protection of soil from erosion is called soil conservation.
8) What are the advantages of building embankments along river banks?
A- Building embankments along river banks and bunds around field prevent soil
erosion.Bunds around fields help water seep into soil and raise the water table.
9) How does cutting of trees affect balance in nature?
A- Forest are being cut down to build houses and factories,Which leads to
deforestation.Deforestation also result in the loss of homes and lives of wild animals,the
percentage of oxygen will be decreased in the atmosphere.

Give reasons
1) Soil erosion should be stopped.
A- Because all the nutrients and minerals are washed away due to soil erosion.
2) Rainwater flowing down the hill slopes in muddy.
A- Rainwater is mixed with soil makes it muddy when it is flowing down.
3) Areas should be reserved for pastures for animals.
A- To prevent soil erosion grass and plants are needed,but animals eat them all.So
separate areas must be reserved for grazing of animals called pastures.
4) Trees should be planted across the direction in which winds blow.
A- Because trees act like wind breakers and they stop the wind from blowing away of the
soil.