Question

2. This picture from 1942 shows a farmer working on a com field. Explain why planting a row crop like com here would result in much higher rates of erosion than if the native plant life were present. Assume the area he is farming was once temperate grassland. (2 points) [Type your answer here in bold.) 3. Describe two alternative farming techniques that this farmer could use on this field to reduce erosion from either wind or water. Your answers should reflect the type of land and/or crop he is working with (4 points) [Type your answer here in bold.]

Answer 1

2.Reasons:

•    Growing only one crop at a time(Monocropping) is a practice that tends to deplete the nutrients present in the soil.Also,because grasslands thrive off of biodiversity of plants and animals, monocropping tends to weaken the biome.It also increases the chances of occurrence of natural disasters,like erosion.
• Cultivating plants other than the native plants is not advisable as they may not be able to handle extreme weather,like droughts and wildfires,which may ultimately result in loss of habitat.

3.Alternative farming techniques to reduce soil erosion:

1. Contour farming: Instead of planting crops in straight lines, crops are planted based on the contour lines of the field to create reservoirs that conserve rainwater and reduce top-level soil erosion.
2. Strip farming:It is a method which involves cultivating a field partitioned into long, narrow strips which are alternated in a crop rotation system.