The document discusses soil horizons and properties including color, texture, structure, and pH. It notes that soil degradation in drylands is primarily caused by wind and water erosion. Desertification is defined as a loss of over 10% productivity due to various factors like erosion, overgrazing, drought, and climate change. The document also discusses irrigation, salinization, and pesticides and recommends soil conservation practices for farmers like crop rotation and reduced tillage to prevent degradation and build organic matter.

2. O Horizon – Litter Layer
A Horizon- Topsoil
E Horizon- Leaching Layer
B Horizon- Subsoil
C Horizon- Weathered
parent material
R Horizon- Parent material

3. Color- reveals details
about its composition
and fertility.
Texture- is based on
particle size consists
of particles less than
0.002 millimeter
Structure- the
arrangement of soil
particles.
pH- acidity or
alkalinity affects its
ability to support
plant growth.

4. Soil degradation on
drylands is due
primarily to erosion by
wind and water.
(Percentages add up to
more than 100 percent
because of rounding.)

5. Desertification is a loss of
more than 10 percent of
productivity due to
erosion, soil compaction,
forest removal,
overgrazing, drought,
salt buildup, climate
change, depletion of
water sources, and other
factors.

6.  Irrigation- using a source other than precipitation to water crops
 Salinization- to buildup of salts in the surface layers of soil
 Pesticides- a chemical use to kill organisms that attack or compete
with plants that humans value

7.  Soil conservation practices are tools
the farmer can use to prevent soil
degradation and build organic
matter. These practices include: crop
rotation, reduced tillage, mulching,
cover cropping and cross-slope
farming.