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DEGRADATION AND CONTROL PROCESSES |
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Degradation process:
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Due to soil structure degradation.
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Description:
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Various different processes may cause the destruction of soil structure and, in consequence, promote the degradation of its physical properties: sodification, compaction, crusting, among others.
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Soil functions affected:
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Biomass production (difficulties in nascence, reduced crop yields), environmental functions (water filtration, carbon storage), hydrological function (reduction of water absorption, infiltration and storage, increased surface runoff with the consequent risk of erosion and flooding), biological habitat function.
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Click on the image
Destruction of soil structure due to sodification
associated with an irrigation system –
inappropriate drainage. Agramunt, Urgell
(J. M. Villar)
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Diagnostic criteria:
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Soil field study (massive soil horizons) and laboratory analysis.
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Prevention and control:
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Control the quality of irrigation water and drainage (in the case of the risk of sodification), prevent the transit of heavy machinery when the soil is too wet (compaction), etc.
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Click on the image
Ecological agriculture encourages recovering the
practice of ploughing in manure to improve the
soil structure and provide crops with nutrients
without needing to apply agrochemicals.
El Gironès (J. Porta)
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