Tag: protecting our environment

Vermicomposting is a method in which earthworms are used to convert the organic wastes into compost, which is a good fertilizer for plants. It increases the soil fertility. Manure is the organic matter mainly animal feces and straw. It adds nutrients (nitrogen) in the soil, which increases the soil fertility. So, the correct option is D.

Soil erosion is removal of top soil by agency of water (water erosion) and wind (wind erosion). One of the methods for soil conservation against soil erosion is terracing. In terracing, slope is divided into a number of flat fields for slowing down the flow of water. Terracing is very effective in hilly areas for control of soil erosion.

Anthropogenic soil erosion is caused by removal of plant cover through over grazing, litter collection, tree felling, leaving the soil unprotected during agricultural operations. Anthropogenic factors remove green cover and expose the soil to natural agents of soil erosion i.e., water and wind. When rains fall, most of the top layer of soil is washed away, if the soil is not covered by vegetation. 

Soil pollution is caused by removal or addition of substances which decrease its productivity. It is caused by agrochemicals, industrial wastes, municipal wastes etc. It adversely affects the fertility of the soil. Pesticides, weedicides, and fertilizers are added to soil in agriculture practices to remove unwanted plants and increase the fertility of the soil. These chemicals penetrate into soil and damages the soil.

• The contamination of soil with solid waste, acid rain excess of fertilizers, Insecticides, and herbicides is called soil pollution.
• Soil pollution can lead to water pollution if toxic chemicals leach(drain away from the soil) into groundwater, or if contaminated runoff reaches streams, lakes, or oceans.
  
• Hence Soil pollution can lead to water pollution is a true statement.
• So, the correct answer is 'True'.

Mulching refers to the covering of harvested field with plant litter or polythene of low density, in order to decrease run off, prevent the growth of weeds and retention of water. It protects the roots from seasonal variations.During initial stages of growth, mulching helps to maintain a stable temperature for proliferation of seedling.

When trees are cut on a large scale land becomes barren. This results in the loss of upper soil layer due to heavy wind or flowing water leading to soil erosion. Roots of plants hold the soil particles and prevent their loss. Hence afforestation i.e. growing plants to form a soil cover prevents soil erosion. Thus the correct answer is option B.

Soil erosion is removal of top soil by agency of water (water erosion) and wind (wind erosion). Soil erosion is of two types- natural and anthropogenic.