Human Activity and the Environment

You are expected to:

1. evaluate why soil is a necessary resource;
2. analyze how people’s use of land affects soil; and
3. devise a sustainable plan on soil protection and conservation for future generation;

Philippines is an agricultural country with a land area of 30 million hectares, 47%

of which is agricultural land (https://pinas.dlsu.edu.ph/2020). However, urban
development activities contribute to conversion of agricultural land to other purposes in
order to support the rapid growing population of 108.8 M (PSA, 2020). Urbanization also
affects the quality and quantity of available soil for planting crops.
Soil can be defined as the organic and inorganic materials on the surface of the
earth that provide the medium for plant growth. Soil develops slowly over time and is
composed of many different materials through the process of weathering.
Soil is a necessary resource because it helps sustain life on Earth including
humans, animals and plants. Aside from life sustaining roles, soil helps purify, or clean,
water as it drains through the ground and into rivers, lakes, and oceans. In addition,
decomposers in soil also help recycle nutrients by breaking down the remains of plants
and animals, releasing nutrients that living plants use to grow. Soil also provides a home
for a variety of living things, from tiny one-celled organisms to small
mammals.
Despite the mentioned importance in sustaining life on earth, there are serious
issues concerning the soil’s good qualities and availability. In fact, a review of soil
degradation in the Philippines (Asio, V. 2009) revealed that soil degradation, the
physical, chemical and biological decline in soil quality is a major agricultural and
environmental problem in the Philippines due to erosion. Loss of nutrients and organic
nutrients, salinization, acidification, pollution, compaction and subsidence are other soil
degradation processes cause by erosion.
Aside from natural causes of soil erosion, there are some other human activities
that contribute to the loss of good quality soil. We are going to limit our discussion on
the three major human activities that cause soil degradation.

1. FARMING
Farming is one of the traditional sources of income in our country done by planting
crops or raising livestock. Listed below are some positive and negative effects of
farming.

Positive Effect of Farming

Application of herbicide, a pesticide used to kill unwanted plants used in farming
has a positive benefit on soil health. Lime and mineral fertilizers added to soil provide
stable optimum growing conditions for plants. Organic manures and other organic
fertilizers provide a source of food/energy for many soil organisms thus making the soil
healthy and good for planting. Even the growing plants help in stabilizing the soil
structure.
Another important effect of farming on soil health is the provision of water through
irrigation and drainage. Irrigation/drainage water stabilizes the soil moisture thus making
it healthier and more suitable for planting.

Negative Effect of Farming

Tillage in farming is the preparation of soil for planting and the cultivation of soil
after planting. It can cause direct damage to soil microorganisms and potentially expose
those to new predators. Though pesticides are found beneficial to soil, it was found to
have long term harmful effects on the overall activity or population of soil organisms.
Some applied veterinary medicines are found to affect the normal degradation rate of
some insects and animals, thus altering the soil’s health.

2. CONSTRUCTION OF STRUCTURE
Construction activities, such as grading and filling, reduce soil quality on
construction sites. Land use conversion usually done to support urbanization activities
can cause rapid soil degradation and sedimentation. Soil nutrients are washed away
making it unsuitable for farming.

3. WASTE DISPOSALS
Soil quality is adversely affected by improper waste disposal. Soil pollution
happens when hazardous chemicals from human and industrial sewage are carelessly
disposed of, altering soil’s natural health and quality.
At this point, you have learned about the effects of human activities on quality of
soil. It is therefore imperative that we protect and preserve soil. There are methods of
soil conservation and protection that can be observed in order to protect and conserve
our soil at the same time. The goal here is to reduce erosion and to ensure the soil’s
fertility.

Let’s take a look these remarkable ways to protect and conserve the soil.

A. Forest Protection - Trees as well as other plants and vegetation in the forest are
important in the creation of new soil as leaves and other vegetation rot and
decompose. Hence, soil qualities are ensured when forest are protected and
conserved.

B. Buffer Strips - Buffers are strips or corridors of permanent vegetation used to

reduce water and wind erosion. They provide protection where stream banks exist.
They can be created with grass, trees and shrubs.

C. No-Till Farming - No-till farming is an approach that allows crops to remain in place
for a season. This keeps the soil from being left bare and unprotected.

D. Fewer Concrete Surfaces - Soil requires an adequate amount of water in order to

function properly. Lots of concrete surfaces, especially in residential areas make it
difficult for water to get to the soil. Using paving stones for patios and gardens
work to protect the soil. They are also a tool to prevent soil erosion in specific
areas.

E. Plant Windbreak Areas - Windbreaks are composed of shrubs, plants and trees.
They work in combination and serve a conservation purpose. These will work
together to slow the force of wind over ground areas. This is a method that can
also work to prevent erosion of the soil.

F. Terrace Planting - This type of planting is done by maximizing the topography of

the land. It benefits from the way the rain water flows naturally. This is a way to
protect the soil from erosion. It is also a proven method to encourage growth from
moist soil areas.
G. Plant Trees - Simply planting trees is a good conservation method. As the tree
grows, its roots become even more secure in the soil. This soil is protected in
numerous ways because of the trees’ existence. Erosion is prevented from this
planting process.
H. Crop Rotation - Crop rotation is a process that works to conserve soil. It is
accomplished by planting and growing a serious of different crops in the same soil.
This process prevents overgrowth of pathogens and a lack of fertility in the soil,
overall.

I. Water the Soil - This is a simple process that provides a lot of benefits to the soil.
Watering your soil along with plants and vegetables is important. This helps to not
only nourish the soil but to protect it. Moist soil is not in danger of erosion due to
wind activity.

J. Maintain pH - Soil pH or soil reaction is an indication of the acidity or alkalinity of

soil and is measured in pH units. A pH range of approximately 6 to 7 promotes the
readiest availability of plant nutrients. The pH levels in the soil can be affected by
a number of pollutants and acid.

K. Indigenous Crops - Indigenous crops are native crop options that enhance the soil.
Planting these is a way to ensure conservation efforts. They should be planted
even when diverse crops are being planted, as well.

L. Afforestation - Planting trees is a method of conserving the soil. Afforestation is

another of tree planting method wherein the areas under trees are protected. This
is usually done by planting foliage in forest undergrowth areas. It encourages
healthy soil and water absorption.

M. Monitor Grazing - Animal grazing plays a critical role in conserving soil. Monitoring
the areas where cows and other animals graze is important. This helps to prevent
depletion of the soil. It also addresses the issue of hoof damage, which can occur
to the soil.

N. Dams - Dams are important resources when it comes to soil conservation. These
structures work to prevent soil erosion. This is especially important in areas where
rivers exist. Flooding of rivers has been the cause for many instances of soil
erosion. Dams offer additional protection.

O. Fertilizers - Not all fertilizer products are effective for conservation efforts. The
composition of these fertilizers can be the problem. The use of organic fertilizer
improves the quality of soil because it is composed of readily biodegradable
materials make better nutrient sources.

P. No Soil Compacting - A simple conservation method that some gardeners and

farmers apply is not to compact the soil. This is a protection method that is helpful.
You can do this by creating dedicated paths in your garden. This helps you to not
walk on wet soil causing it to be compacted.

Q. Control Storm Water - Instead of allowing water to puddle in yards or gardens, it is

important to control it. Storm water can easily cause flooding or problems in these
 areas. Setting up large container to hold excess water in problem locations is
helpful. This water can be reused for watering gardens and yards.

R. Monitor Growth - When crops or plants grow normally, they have a healthy
appearance. It there is a problem with the growth, often the soil is the issue.
Checking the salient composition and fertility is important. This is done through
regular monitoring of the soil and overall plant growth.

Name: __________________________________ Date: _____________

Illustration Case Analysis

Directions: Gather the necessary information on how do human activities affect soil in different
situations? Let us try to find out what are the human activities that affect the quality and availability of soil
by analyzing the different illustration given. Your answers are limited to these pictures only. Answers are to
be written first then after checking it, make it as a powerpoint presentation.

Your analysis should include the following:

These may differ on your directions or your case study:
I. Introduction
▪ Identify the key problems about the issue.
▪ State a thesis statement that has the outcome about the related analysis that pertains to different situations that
can affect soil.

II. Background Information

▪ Background information, relevant facts and present most important issues about soil
conditions in different situations that can be pointed out through your analysis.
▪ Does the situation such as farming, construction of structure and waste disposal affect the soil
quality and availability? Summarize your outcome in 1-2 sentences.

III. Evaluation of the Case

▪ Imagine what happens when soil quality has been affected caused by different situations such
as farming, construction of structure, and waste disposal.
▪ Find any person connected to the issue and know their experience and daily cycle can be 1 person per
situation.

IV. Propose Solution

▪ State your proposal, a reliable, significant and workable solution about the issue.
▪ Explain your chosen solution and why you can say your proposed solution can work.
▪ Give some phases or directions when applying your proposed solution.

V. Recommendation
▪ Explain your own experience or strategy when doing the analysis and add some accomplishing
acts that you have known that is applicable to some related issues.
▪ If your analysis solution is effective, what should be done and who should do it?