The importance of soil conservation

Soil conservation is a fundamental component of sustainable natural resource management and agriculture. Soil conservation practices are essential to maintain soil fertility and prevent erosion, thus ensuring long-term food production and environmental protection. In this article we will explore different soil conservation practices and their importance.

Soil conservation practices

Soil conservation practices are essential for maintaining soil health and productivity. Soil is a finite and valuable resource that is depleted over time by factors such as erosion, compaction, loss of organic matter and contamination. Soil conservation practices are an effective way to mitigate these problems and ensure that soil remains fertile and productive.

Types of soil conservation practices

• Terraces: Terraces are terraced structures designed to reduce the speed of water flow on steep slopes, thereby helping to prevent erosion. Terracing is a common practice in upland agriculture.
• Crop rotation: Crop rotation is an agricultural practice in which different crops are rotated in a field over several seasons. This helps to improve soil quality and reduce the build-up of certain pathogens and pests.
• Cover crops: Cover crops are plants, such as legumes, grown in uncultivated areas or between rows of main crops. These crops help prevent erosion, improve soil organic matter and fix nitrogen.
• No-till farming: No-till farming involves planting crops without ploughing or tilling the soil, which helps to reduce soil erosion and maintain soil structure.
• Windbreaks and hedges: Windbreaks and hedges are used in areas prone to wind erosion. These practices reduce wind speed and prevent soil erosion.

Multifunctional margins

Multifunctional margins are a soil and biodiversity conservation practice that involves leaving strips of uncultivated land on the edges of agricultural fields. These strips, also known as hedgerows, vegetation strips or ecological strips, often contain a variety of native plants, shrubs and trees. The answer to the question of whether multifunctional margins are worthwhile depends on several factors and considerations:

• Ecological benefits: Multifunctional margins offer many environmental benefits, such as conserving biodiversity, improving water quality by filtering pollutants and providing habitats for pollinators and other animals. Where biodiversity and long-term sustainability are valued, multifunctional margins are valuable.
• Erosion control: These strips of vegetation can help prevent soil erosion by acting as natural barriers, slowing down rainwater and preventing it from washing away the fertile layer of soil. This can be particularly important in erosion-prone areas.
• Improved soil quality: Multifunctional margins also contribute to improved soil quality by adding organic matter and nutrients to the surrounding soil. This can have a positive effect on the productivity of nearby crops.
• Aesthetic benefits: These margins can improve the appearance of the agricultural landscape and add aesthetic value to farmland, which can be important in regions with rural tourism or recreational activities.
• Agronomic considerations: In some cases, however, farmers may be concerned about the loss of arable land and the costs associated with managing multifunctional margins, such as maintenance and pest and disease control of the component plants.

Success stories

There are many successful examples of multifunctional edges in use around the world. Here are just a few:

• In Spain, the project “Management of multifunctional margins in rainfed fields for a better balance of carbon and biodiversity” showed that multifunctional margins can help increase biodiversity and carbon sequestration in rainfed crops. The project was carried out on four demonstration farms in the Seville region and found that multifunctional margins supported higher plant and animal diversity than fields without margins. In addition, the multifunctional margins sequestered more carbon than the fields without margins. Link
• In the United States, the Multifunctional Margins for Biodiversity and Water Quality project showed that multifunctional margins can help improve water quality and biodiversity on agricultural lands. The project was conducted on 20 farms in the state of Iowa and found that multifunctional margins reduced runoff and water pollution and increased plant and animal diversity. Link
• In Australia, the Multifunctional Margins for Biodiversity Conservation project showed that multifunctional margins can help conserve biodiversity on agricultural land. The project was carried out on 10 farms in the state of Victoria and found that multifunctional margins provided habitat for a greater diversity of plants and animals, including threatened species. Link

In summary, soil conservation practices are essential to maintain the health and fertility of our soils and to prevent erosion and its negative impacts. The choice of appropriate practices depends on local conditions, the objectives of the farmer and the soil conservation policy of each region. The variety of options, such as no-till, crop rotation, terracing and other practices, provide farmers with valuable tools to address environmental challenges and improve the sustainability of agriculture.

It is important to remember that soil conservation not only benefits farmers in terms of productivity and costs, but also has a positive impact on the environment by reducing erosion, preserving biodiversity and improving water quality. It is always important to carefully assess the local situation and seek advice from soil conservation experts to make informed decisions.

For more information and support in implementing soil conservation practices, please contact the NOVASOIL project members who will be happy to provide additional guidance and resources. Soil conservation is a shared responsibility and with a collaborative approach we can work together to conserve our natural resources and ensure a sustainable future.