Application Of Water Conservation Practices In Grazing Lands

Concept Of Soil And Water Conservation

Soil and water conservation is the application of engineering principles to the solution of soil
and water management problems resulting in protection against waste. The conservation of
these resources essentially implies utilization without waste so to make possible a high level
of production that can be continued.

Water Conservation Practices:

The improved moisture condition in the soil can be achieved.

1-increasing water storage in the root zone. (By control of runoff and increasing infiltration)
2-Reducing moisture loss due to evapotranspiration.
for this purpose different practices are used which includes (fallowing of lands, eradication
of weeds, contour plouging).Control runoff includes vegetative cover,soilstructure and
organic matter, While methods of controlling runoff include Strip cropping.terracing,bund
making. Similarly methods of increasing infiltration includes (mulching and improving
soil structure)
 Agronomic Practices

Strip cropping

Growing crops in a systematic arrangement of strips or bands on the contour or across the slope in
order to reduce erosion. The crops are arranged so that a strip of grass or a close-growing crop is
alternated with a clean-tilled crop or fallow.

Strip disking

A method of field maintenance in which approximately one-third of the field is lightly disked each
year to maintain the early success ional grassland component many wildlife species depend upon.

Strip mowing

Method of field maintenance in which approximately one-third of the field is mowed each year to
control woody encroachment and annually provide young, green, succulent vegetation for forage.

Subsurface drain

A perforated conduit such as pipe, tubing, or tile installed beneath the ground to intercept and
convey groundwater.
Fire break
A linear area created by exposing mineral soil or by growing lush green vegetation such as winter
wheat. Also, in some instances, cool-season grasses maintained to stop the spread of a fire.

Forestland erosion control

Practices such as use of culverts, diversions, fence, filter strip, grade stabilization, water bars, and
critical area protection to reduce erosion and sedimentation resulting from silvicultural or other activities.

Forest site preparation

Preparation of an area to be planted with tree and/or shrub seedlings to eliminate or control
competing vegetation and to ensure and enhance seedling survival and growth.

Grade stabilization structure

A structure for stabilizing the grade of a gully or other water course, thereby preventing further head
cutting or lowering of the channel grade.
Animal waste utilization
Using agricultural waste on land in an environmentally friendly manner while maintaining or
improving soil and plant resources.
Composting facility
A facility for biological stabilization of waste organic material.
Conservation easements
Easements placed on lands devoted to specified long-term conservation uses.
Fence
A permanent or temporary structure for the exclusion of or the improved management of livestock. Its
purpose is to protect a conservation practice from grazing damage or to reduce potential sediment
damage and improve water quality.
Field border
A band or strip of perennial vegetation established on the edge of cropland, hay land, or pastureland.
How it works

Grassed waterways are natural or

constructed grassed channels that
are graded to convey runoff from terraces,
diversions, and other water concentrations
without causing soil erosion or flooding and
serve to improve and protect water
quality. Grassed waterways are also
established with suitable vegetation, which
may provide habitat for some wildlife
species such as rabbits and pheasants.
Grass cover protects the drainage way from
gully erosion.

How it helps
 Vegetation may act as a filter, absorbing
some of the chemicals and nutrients in
. runoff water.
 Vegetation provides cover for small birds
and animals
How it works
Terraces break long slopes into shorter ones.
They usually follow the contour. As water
makes its way down a hill, terraces serve as
small dams to intercept water and guide it to
an outlet.

There are two basic types of terraces -storage

terraces and gradient terraces.

Storage terraces collect water and store it

until it can infiltrate into the ground or be
released through a stable outlet.

Gradient terraces are designed as a channel

to slow runoff water and carry it to a sable
outlet like a grassed waterway.
How it helps
 Both water quality and soil quality are
improved.
 Terraces with grass on front or back slopes can
provide nesting habitat.
How it works

Multiple rows of coniferous trees or a combination of coniferous and deciduous trees

are planted to protect a farmstead or feedlot from wind and snow. One or two rows
of shrubs are also often planted. The established windbreak slows wind on the
downwind side of the windbreak for a distance of 10 times the height of the trees.
The tree rows also act like a snow fence, trapping snow within the windbreak. Field
windbreaks can also be planted to reduce wind speed in open fields.

How it helps

 A windbreak reduces wind erosion, conserves energy, reduces heating bills and
beautifies a farmstead.
 Trees serve as a sound barrier and muffle road noise.
 Trees and shrubs provide food and cover for wildlife.
 Improved livestock weight gains can be expected when livestock are protected from
winter winds and snow.
How it works
A series of grass strips are placed across the slope on a contour. The alternating
strips of grass or other permanent vegetation slow runoff flow, trap sediment
from the crop strips above, and increase water infiltration. Because the buffer
strip is established on the contour, runoff flows evenly across the entire surface
of the grass strip, reducing sheet and rill erosion.

How it helps

 Vegetation provides cover and habitat for small birds and animals.
 The strips reduce erosion by slowing water flow and increasing water infiltration.
 By reducing siltation and filtering nutrients and chemicals from runoff, grass
strips improve water quality.
Contour grass buffer strips
 Riparian Forest Buffers

How it works

Riparian forest buffers are areas of native

trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants
located adjacent to streams, lakes,
ponds, and other water bodies that

How it helps

 To intercept sediment, nutrients, and other

contaminants in surface runoff and in
shallow subsurface water flow.
 In addition, leaf litter and woody debris are
important to aquatic organisms .
 To exclude livestock and to increase the
capabilities of a riparian buffer, fencing
may be utilized with this conservation
practice.

Riparian forest buffers

 Filter Strips

How it works

Strips of grass, trees and/or shrubs slow water flow and cause contaminants like
sediment, chemicals and nutrients to collect in vegetation. Collected nutrients and
chemicals are used by the vegetation, rather than entering water supplies. Filtered
water then enters water bodies.

How it helps
 Grass, trees and shrubs provide cover for small birds and animals.
 Ground cover reduces soil erosion.
 The vegetative strip moves row crop operations farther from a stream.
 Vegetation prevents contaminants from entering water bodies, protecting water
quality.
Filter Strips
Filter Strips
How it works

Leaving last year's crop residue on the surface before and during planting
operations provides cover for the soil at a critical time of the year. The residue
is left on the surface by reducing tillage operations and turning the soil less.
Pieces of crop residue shield soil particles from rain and wind until plants can
produce a protective canopy.

How it helps

 Ground cover prevents soil erosion and protects water quality.

 Residue improves soil tilth and adds organic matter to the soil as it
decomposes.
 Fewer trips and less tillage reduces soil compaction.
 Time, energy and labor savings are possible with fewer tillage trips.
How it works

A variety of desired tree species, either seedlings

or seeds, are planted mechanically or by hand in
under stocked woodlands or open fields. Tree
species are matched with soil types are selected
to prevent soil erosion, increase income, or boost
productivity of existing woodland.

How it helps
 Improving stands of woodlands can increase
profits.
 Ground cover created by trees and associated
debris protects soil from rill and sheet erosion.
 Ground cover also protects water quality bt
filtering excess nutrients and chemicals from
surface runoff and increasing infiltration rates.
 Healthy, well-managed woodlands provide long-
term Wildlife habitat
Hardwood tree planting
 Marginal pastureland wetland buffer

How it works

A marginal pastureland wetland buffer is a band of grasses, legumes, and wild-flowers

established on marginal pasture land near permanent water bodies.

How it helps

 It is used to remove sediment, organic matter, nutrients, pesticides.

 other pollutants from surface runoff and subsurface flow.
 In addition to protecting water quality, marginal pastureland wetland buffers can provide
valuable cover, nest sites, nectar and pollen for pollinating insects, and food for wildlife.
wetland buffer
How it works

Natural wetlands, swamps, and marshes

occur in every state in the Nation and vary
widely in size, shape, and type. marshes in
low-lying areas are most common in Iowa.
A wetland may have standing water year-
round or may hold surface water for only
part of the year.

•Wetlands filter and collect sediment from

runoff water.
• Many wetlands release water slowly into
the ground which recharges groundwater
supplies.
• Because wetlands slow overland flow and
store runoff water, they reduce both soil
erosion and flooding downstream.
 Wetland Restoration

How it works
A wetland restoration is the rehabilitation of
a degraded wetlands where the soils,
hydrology, vegetative community, and
biological habitat are returned to the
natural condition.

How it helps

•surrounding upland areas should also be

restored to provide a buffer which will
serve to reduce soil erosion and protect
water resources.
• This conservation practice is limited to
sites with soils classified as PC (Prior
Converted) hydric soils and that are
technically and economically suitable for
wetland restoration.
 Introduced Grasses And Legume Planting

How it works
Introduced grass and legume plantings are performed to provide wildlife habitat, soil erosion
protection, water conservation, and for pasture/hay land renovation.

How it helps

 Introduced legumes include Birds foot Trefoil, Alfalfa, Red Clover, and Ladino Clover. Introduced
grass and legume plantings grow rapidly in early spring and fall and can provide good cover for
small game.
 However, CP1 plantings do not stand up very well to snow and ice and may therefore only
provide secondary cover during winter months. Legumes provide abundant food that, in turn,
attracts numerous insects, which serve as an important source of protein for chicks and mammals
in the spring.
 Grasses And Legume Planting

Photo by Michael T. Pruss

What is a watershed

 A watershed is the area of land where all of the water that is under it or drains off it goes
into the same place.
 in this system water is collected from various parts of the field is collected in strips where
crops are grown.
 Permanent wildlife habitat

How it works
Permanent wildlife habitat plantings are a combination of grasses, shrubs, wildflowers, and trees
that are wildlife friendly and provide protection from soil erosion. Permanent wildlife
plantings must incorporate native, noninvasive plant species and woody vegetation that serve as
excellent habitat for wildlife species .

How it helps

 Shallow water areas for wildlife are enhanced or constructed open water wetlands (6-18 inches
deep) that serve to provide a source of water for wildlife during a majority of the year. The
shallow water wetlands provide habitat for water-dependent wildlife such as waterfowl, shore
birds, amphibians, reptiles, and other wetland-dependent wildlife.
 Suitable sites for shallow water areas should have soils with sufficient clay for building levees and
holding water, and they should be nearly level or gently sloping. As with other wetland
constructions or restorations, the site should also have a large enough watershed to collect runoff
or a water source that can be diverted and pumped.
Permanent wildlife habitat