Preserving The Earths Top Soil

Wasted space and barren lands create opportunity for erosion and loss of precious top soil. This can very well be avoided by planting ground cover, shrubs or tress in unused spaces. The roots will grow firmly into the ground and keep the loose ground soil intact. Harsh elements like the wind and rain storms will not wash or blow away the top soil. Flood water takes everything with it, including the loose and fertile soil. Geologist and soil experts classify different soil types according to strength and durability.

Areas with heavy rainfall and frequent flooding need stronger cover to protect top soil. Indigenous trees and stronger growing shrubs can do the trick. Slopes and banks are highly prone to collapse and erosion. Try avoiding bare spaces on landscapes which can easily wash away or collapse. Plants or even turf grass will save slopes from losing shape and earth. 

Desert dunes and areas with very fine sea type sand often gets strewn all over the place in windy seasons. Areas like the Middle east and parts of Africa, experience severe sand storms. This is a detriment to health and damage to roofs and electrical instruments like air conditioners etc that runs into millions of rands for maintenance and upkeep. Walls and other holding dunes can perhaps contain the wind, preventing the waste of sand during severe wind storms. 

The idea behind prevention of soil erosion is to go green. Plant and plant as much as you can. This will preserve and help maintain nature’s balance. Much of the destruction caused by man is irreversible but nature still has a way of rejuvenating itself. 

Compost and garden refuse can be recycled to supplement the quality of top soil. Nothing is ever wasted but simply changes form to one to the other. Potato peels, skin of fruit and all that we throw away can be used wisely to improve the quality of gardening and planting soil. This will  decrease our dependence on chemicals and other poisonous products in order to sustain growth.

Insecticides and other poisons contaminate the soil, ridding it of essential nutrients essential for healthy growth of vegetables and other foods. Hence the quality of food decreases, looking complete in form only, but zero on essential vitamins and nourishment. 

At the end it takes a little effort from each individual. This will unite to form a greater whole which will impact positively on the environment. Awareness brought to growing children and younger adults will lend a helping hand in continuing this pledge to save the earth. The knowledge will pass from generation to generation, thus staying alive, almost immortal in essence.