Topsoil is one of nature’s blessings to us all. It is easy however to forget the importance of topsoil. One fact is certain; without topsoil planet Earth would be in serious trouble because all living organisms and their habitats would be under severe pressure to survive. In much the same way that the scientists predict that nuclear war would block out the sun for many years putting an end to live as we know it on Earth, if topsoil disappeared, we could expect the same fate.
The facts are quite dreadful because topsoil is eroding at a lightning speed. Studies have shown that the world’s topsoil could be completely depleted in the next sixty years unless serious action is taken to prevent topsoil erosion on its current scale.
intensive farming methods have taken the blame for the destruction of the world’s topsoil. The main reasons for topsoil erosion have been the increased use of mass ploughing techniques across the globe. The breakdown of organic matter with this farming method is a primary problem that will prevent the topsoil from holding together. Without this organic content, the topsoil is more susceptible to being blown away by wind and washed away with rain waters.
There have been many studies that show heavy global farming practices are one of the primary causes of the erosion of topsoil. feeding the world however still has to be a primary prupose for large farming practices, and this must be taken into account when any changes are actually made to the way that new farming methods are adopted. ’No Till’ agricultural techniques are being recommended by farming experts instead.
Unnecessary topsoil erosion is reduced by the use of ‘No Till’ farming methods. by leaving in stubble from previous harvests, the topsoil is allowed to benefit from the additional organic matter that this practice provides. This additional organic matter and more gentle handling of the soil then helps to prevent the erosion of the topsoil from wind and rain.
The only concern is that ‘No Till’ generates lesser crop yields, which is a worry for a world that is already debating how to contend with food shortages. By not making changes to the way our topsoil is treated will prove to be a costly mistake in more ways than one – something needs to be done about it.
