AP®︎ Environmental Science: Topic 5.15 Flashcards

Food production that protects the land’s capacity to remain productive in the future

Protection of soil from erosion so topsoil remains on the land

Plowing and planting along a slope’s contour lines so rows slow runoff and reduce water erosion

Reshaping a steep slope into broad, level steps that interrupt runoff and reduce water erosion

Trees, shrubs, or other tall vegetation planted across prevailing winds to slow wind and reduce soil erosion

Crops that live for multiple years, providing persistent roots and cover that reduce soil disturbance and erosion

Growing a new crop without full-field plowing by planting through retained crop residue with minimal soil disturbance

Planting alternating bands of crops or protective vegetation to slow runoff or wind and trap eroded soil

A soil’s capacity to provide the nutrients and chemical conditions needed for plant growth

Planting different crops in the same field in a planned sequence to reduce repeated nutrient depletion and potentially add nitrogen through legumes

A crop, often a legume, grown and incorporated into soil while green to add nutrients and organic matter

A soil amendment added to acidic soil to neutralize acidity and raise pH, improving nutrient availability and growing conditions

Regularly moving livestock among pastures or paddocks so grazed vegetation can recover and overgrazing is avoided