Question

iii. over tilling
a. tilling refers to the ______ of the soil to loosen it before ______.
b. loosens the soil and makes it ________ to erosion
iv. overgrazing
a. refers to ______ grazing heavily on vegetation (______)
b. can remove the vegetation that ______ the surface of the ____ and leaves it ______.
c. when ______ (which are very good soil binders) are removed, the soil becomes ______.
d. the ______ soil gets eroded by ____ or ______
v. strip mining
a. process of removing layers of ______ and soil in strips so as to reach the ______ below.
b. commonly used to mine ________
c. humans tend to ______ the soil surface and also loosen the soil in this process making it ______ to erosion.
vi. mountaintop removal
a. removal of the ______ of a mountain primarily to ______ in the appalachian mountains.

Explanation:

III. Over Tilling

a.

Tilling refers to the plowing/cultivation of the soil to loosen it before planting crops.
(Explanation: Tilling is the mechanical agitation of soil, done to prepare it for sowing seeds by breaking it up and aerating it.)

b.

Loosens the soil and makes it more vulnerable to erosion.
(Explanation: When soil is tilled, its structure is disrupted, and without plant roots to hold it, it is easier for wind or water to carry it away.)

IV. Overgrazing

a.

Refers to livestock (e.g., cattle, sheep) grazing heavily on vegetation (beyond the land’s capacity to regenerate).
(Explanation: Overgrazing occurs when animals graze so much that plants cannot regrow fast enough to sustain the ecosystem.)

b.

Can remove the vegetation that holds/stabilizes the surface of the soil and leaves it exposed.
(Explanation: Plant roots and above - ground parts anchor the soil. When vegetation is removed, the soil is no longer protected from erosion agents.)

c.

When grasses (or other small plants) (which are VERY good soil binders) are removed, the soil becomes loose/unstable.
(Explanation: Grasses have dense root systems that bind soil particles together. Without them, the soil structure breaks down.)

d.

The loose soil gets eroded by wind or water (e.g., rain, runoff).
(Explanation: Loose soil particles are easily picked up by wind or carried away by moving water.)

V. Strip mining

a.

Process of removing layers of rock and soil in strips so as to reach the mineral deposits below.
(Explanation: Strip mining involves removing overlying material (overburden) to access valuable minerals like coal or metal ores.)

b.

Commonly used to mine coal (or other minerals like oil shale, tar sands).
(Explanation: Strip mining is a cost - effective method for extracting minerals that are near the surface, with coal being a common target.)

c.

Humans tend to disturb the soil surface and also loosen the soil in this process making it prone to erosion.
(Explanation: The removal of overburden and the resulting exposed soil is no longer in its natural state and is easily eroded.)

VI. Mountaintop Removal

a.

Removal of the top (summit/peak) of a mountain primarily to mine coal in the Appalachian mountains.
(Explanation: In the Appalachian region, mountaintop removal is a form of coal mining where the mountain’s top is blasted off to access coal seams below.)

Answer:

III. Over Tilling

a.

Tilling refers to the plowing/cultivation of the soil to loosen it before planting crops.
(Explanation: Tilling is the mechanical agitation of soil, done to prepare it for sowing seeds by breaking it up and aerating it.)

b.

Loosens the soil and makes it more vulnerable to erosion.
(Explanation: When soil is tilled, its structure is disrupted, and without plant roots to hold it, it is easier for wind or water to carry it away.)

IV. Overgrazing

a.

Refers to livestock (e.g., cattle, sheep) grazing heavily on vegetation (beyond the land’s capacity to regenerate).
(Explanation: Overgrazing occurs when animals graze so much that plants cannot regrow fast enough to sustain the ecosystem.)

b.

Can remove the vegetation that holds/stabilizes the surface of the soil and leaves it exposed.
(Explanation: Plant roots and above - ground parts anchor the soil. When vegetation is removed, the soil is no longer protected from erosion agents.)

c.

When grasses (or other small plants) (which are VERY good soil binders) are removed, the soil becomes loose/unstable.
(Explanation: Grasses have dense root systems that bind soil particles together. Without them, the soil structure breaks down.)

d.

The loose soil gets eroded by wind or water (e.g., rain, runoff).
(Explanation: Loose soil particles are easily picked up by wind or carried away by moving water.)

V. Strip mining

a.

Process of removing layers of rock and soil in strips so as to reach the mineral deposits below.
(Explanation: Strip mining involves removing overlying material (overburden) to access valuable minerals like coal or metal ores.)

b.

Commonly used to mine coal (or other minerals like oil shale, tar sands).
(Explanation: Strip mining is a cost - effective method for extracting minerals that are near the surface, with coal being a common target.)

c.

Humans tend to disturb the soil surface and also loosen the soil in this process making it prone to erosion.
(Explanation: The removal of overburden and the resulting exposed soil is no longer in its natural state and is easily eroded.)

VI. Mountaintop Removal

a.

Removal of the top (summit/peak) of a mountain primarily to mine coal in the Appalachian mountains.
(Explanation: In the Appalachian region, mountaintop removal is a form of coal mining where the mountain’s top is blasted off to access coal seams below.)