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Permaculture, Sources Agricultural soil compaction : causes and…

- - - - Prevents soil erosion
        
        Reforestation projects in British Colombia and Alberta have helped stabilize slopes, prevent erosion, and rehabilitate areas damaged by lodging or wildfires.
      - Restores nutrient cycles
        
        Trees pull nutrients from deep within the soil which are returned to the surface via leaf fall and decomposition
    - - These organic practices emphasize no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, use of compost and manure, biological pest control, and minimal soil disturbance. The goal here is to work with natural systems to build and maintain soil fertility over time.
    - - Increases organic matter
      - Protects soil microbial life
      - Improves soil structure
  - - - Healthy soils absorb and store carbon from the atmosphere in the form of soil organic carbon
        
        Helps reduce the amount of CO2, a major greenhouse gas
      - Soils rich in organic matter reduce runoof and flooding which aree becoming more frquent because of climate change
        
        Poor soil management can intensify the impacts of droughts and heatwaves, threatening food and water security
    - - Nutrient supply
        
        The natural acidity of the Charlottetown soil helps produce scab-free potato yields
      - Water retention
        
        In Alberta theyre is a fram that adopted cover cropping, this led to a 40% increase in soil moisture levels and reduced irrigation need by 25% during the growing season.
  - - - Loss of biodiversity
        
        Things like compaction and erosion degrade soil structure reducing pore space and water infiltration, this affects the habitat quality for soil organisms
      - Accelerates Climate Change
        
        When soil is degraded the carbon that is being stored in the soil gets released back into the atmosphere as arbon dioxide, which is a major greenhouse gas, this contirbutes heavily to global warming.
      - Increased hunger and poverty
    - - Human activities, particularly intensive agriculture, deforestation and urbanization have led to soil erosion rates that are 10 to 1000 times faster than natural soil formation
        
        This causes loss in fertile topsoil, which is important because it is rich in nutrients and organic matter. This loss leads to reduced agricultural productivity.
  - - - Using natural resources wisely
      - Protecting ecosystems
      - Fighting climate change
      - Reducing pollution
      - Helping restore damaged land
    - - We need to be looking beyond quick fixes and thinking about how our choices today will affect the earth, people, and future generations.
        
        “We don’t inherit the Earth from our ancestors — we borrow it from our children.”
      - Nature already has systems that clean carbon, store water, pollinate crops, and support life.
        
        We need to be working with nature, instead of against it
    - - The Zero Carbon Britain Model is a plan made by a group called the Centre for Alternative Technology. Its all about how the UK can stop adding carbon to the atmosphere and help stop climate change. The goal is to reach zero carbon emissions.
- - - - Tillage breaks up soil aggregates, no-tillage promotes natural aggregation and porosity.
      - No-till increases the carbon and nitrogen levels in the soil.
        
        The higher amount of carbon increases the productivity, including fertility and its capacity to hold nutrients.
    - - Reducing erosion is important for fragile or sloped fields and landscapes
      - Reducing the amount of topsoil lost. Topsoil is a very fertile area for plants
      - Levaing plant residue on the surface protects the soil from wind and rain erosion
    - - Reduces distrubance to organisms like fungi and bacteria that's essential for nutrient cycling.
        
        These microbes are important for breaking down organic matter and cycling nutrients. They also contribute to soil fertility.
  - - - When organic materials decompose they release essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which plants absorb for growth.
        
        WIth fewer weeds competing, more of these nutrients are available for crops/plants.
        
        This leads to healthier plant growth and higher yields.
      - This ensures a steady supply of nutrients and makes food more nutrient dense.
    - - Organic matter absorbs and holds water making it more available to plants during dry periods
        
        A stable form of organic matter called humus, can hold up to twenty times its weight in water
    - - The decomposition of organic matter can lower pH levels because they produce organic acids.
      - Soils with higher clay content have a greater capacity to buffer and to resist pH change.
      - Sandy soils with less organic matter can experience larger pH swings.
  - - - Using Crops like rye or clover can beat out weeds for light, and space.
        
        Cereal rye
      - Allelopathic compounds inhibit weed seed germination for weeks after termination, reducing weed pressure by up to 90% for the plantings in the spring.
      - Cover crops improve soil health by enriching it with organic matter and cycling nutrients , which can help suppress weed growth
    - - Timely application of herbicides
      - Regular mowing, hand weeding, hoeing, or cultivation. Preventing weed seed spread and/or weakening weed growth.
        
        Mowing regularly prevents weed seeds from reaching maturity and scattering. When left uncut many weeds release a large number of seeds, increasing the chances of further infestations.
        
        Frequent mowing can weaken certain weed species by depriving them of sunlight and nutrients. Most weeds rely on their leaves for photosynthesis, their primary source of energy. Regular mowing prevents them from reaching their full potential and developing strong roots, making them more vulnerable.
    - - Rotating crops interrupts weed life cycles and reduces weed species dominance
        
        Changing crops alters the competitive environment, making it harder for any single weed species to dominate.
        
        Rotations often include crops with different structures and/or growth habits, which can beat out weed species for light, nutrients, and space.
        
        Different crops have different planting ad harvesting schedules, which prevent weeds from adapting to a consistent life cycle.
        
        Weeds that thrives under the conditions of one crop may not survive the altered conditions of the next crop in rotation
- - - - Weeds can be early warning signs of poor nutrient cycling, poor pH levels, and mineral deficiences
        
        Wild Carrot cold soil, and Fe and B12 deficiencies.
    - - Don't just kill weeds, they provide valuable information.
      - Recognize weeds as nature sending you a message about imbalance or stress.
  - - - Quack Grass, Nettle : Excess Fe, sterilization, acidic soils.
      - Ragweed, Velvet Leaf : Bad bioactivity, anaerobic conditions, presence of methane.
      - Wild Vetch : P, Ca, Mo, Si déficiences.
    - - Poison Ivy : Ca, P, Mo, S deficiencies
      - Lambs Quarters : P, Ca, S, Vitamin B deficiencies.
      - Wild Mustard, Shepherds Purse : Low Ca, Phosphate, and Boron.
    - - Weed colors, growth forms, and invasiveness can indicate
        
        Nutrient imbalances
        
        Environmental stress, such as dryness or compaction.
        
        Low energy and bad microbial activity.
  - - - Chloride, ammonium, nitrate forms
        
        Chloride is a micronutrient and can also be used to suppress certain diseases and weeds.
        
        Ammonium-based fertilizers acidify the soil
        
        In areas of southern Ontario with alkaline loamy soils, ammonium sulphate is applied to lower soil pH slightly.
      - Sulfur compounds
        
        Used where sulfure and protein synthesis are needed
      - Salts (KCl, Mg salt)
        
        In the canadian prairies, where they have clay- heavy soils, they apply Gypsum, which is a calcium based salt, this helps break up compacted clay and improves drainage.
    - - Vitamins (B12, B1, C)
        
        Adjusts Biochemical balance in plants and soil
      - Sugars (sucrose and glucose)
        
        Energy for microbial systems
      - Humic Acid, seaweed, molasses
        
        Promotes microbial life and nutrient uptake
    - - Trace Minerals : Correct low micronutrient conditions
      - Phosphate : For P-deficient indicators
        
        Pigweed
        
        Shepherds Purse
      - Calcium : Foundational correction for most weeds
        
        Wild Oats
        
        Wild Blackberry