Critical Analysis Question:
At the height of the Dust Bowl U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “The nation that destroys its soils destroys itself.” Explain his rationale.
To formulate your answer, first consider these additional thought questions:
Which of the following statements are true regarding soil development? Select all that apply. | |
nbIRnRe8R9/OaJB+ | Soil forms as wind, water, and biological activity interacts with parent material. |
xdqz80TY1Vwhogjf | Soils develop only from biological processes. |
nbIRnRe8R9/OaJB+ | Climate influences soil development via temperature changes and precipitation. |
xdqz80TY1Vwhogjf | Soils develop very rapidly, as is demonstrated by erosion. |
nbIRnRe8R9/OaJB+ | Soil development is a slow process. |
Which of the following can cause erosion? Select all that apply. | |
xdqz80TY1Vwhogjf | Solar rays |
nbIRnRe8R9/OaJB+ | Rainfall |
xdqz80TY1Vwhogjf | Plants |
nbIRnRe8R9/OaJB+ | Human activities |
nbIRnRe8R9/OaJB+ | Wind |
Farming in the Great Plains in the early 1900s involved the removal of native grasslands in order to plant crops. After the harvest, much of this farmland was left barren, and when an extended drought occurred in the region, massive quantities of soil were blown away because there were no plants growing to stabilize the soil. Why was the Dust Bowl era’s erosion considered harmful to future crop production in the United States? | |
xdqz80TY1Vwhogjf | The erosion completely changed the parent material from which future soil would develop. |
nbIRnRe8R9/OaJB+ | Without a healthy layer of top soil, plant growth can be stunted, as this layer is typically rich in specific nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. |
xdqz80TY1Vwhogjf | The erosion prevented water from moving down into the soil, significantly reducing groundwater availability for future crops. |
nbIRnRe8R9/OaJB+ | A thin top soil horizon is prone to drying, which can lead to crop failure since suitable soil moisture levels cannot be maintained. |
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