Best Practices in Agricultural Ecosystems
When working in the agricultural world, there are certain, "Best practices," that we can use to help promote and maintain the balance between the world's economic, social, and environmental needs. These best practices can help to increase crop yield, maintain soil health, and even create a beneficial environment for the local, native wildlife.
Mulch:
Mulch is a great way to keep soil cool and insulated. There are different types of mulches, but the most common is tree bark, which has the added bonus of holding moisture in the soil. Drip Irrigation:
Drip irrigation can be used to conserve water. It emits a very slow steady amount of water in a specific place, ensuring that only the plants we want to grow get the water that they need. Drip lines can be buried to be better protected, or left on the surface for easy repairs. |
Hedgerow:
Hedgerows are a sort of roadway for native plants and wildlife to take refuge in. By lining irrigation ditches with native plants, farmers can bring in some native wildlife while gaining the benefits of diversity. The root structures of these plants help to hold the banks of irrigation ditches together and prevent erosion. Cover Crops:
Cover crops are a way of putting nutrients back into the soil using mixtures of plants that create a lot of nutrients. When tilled into the soil, the nutrients that the cover crops created are absorbed into the soil. |
GPS:
Advanced GPS systems can be used to farmers' advantage by allowing them to accurately apply fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides only where they are needed. Soil Testing:
It's important for us to keep track of the health of our soil to ensure that we can continue to grow food. Plants need certain nutrients, and by testing our soil regularly, we can keep track of what it needs more of. Testing can also help us determine what to use to fix nutrient deficiencies in our soil. |