Soil Degradation Objective 1: To be able to explain the causes of soil degradation
Starter: Collect some soil in a tub and ask students to rub a small amount into the worksheet to the right. Then write down everything that they know about soil in the bubble. Task 1 - Watch the the video to the right hand side (different languages here). Make notes on the following on your starter sheet: a. Outline then main importance of soil. b. How is soil formed? c. How long does it take to form 10cm of soil? d. How does human activity affect soil erosion? e. How many tonnes were lost in 2011 & what does that equate to in cost per person and annually to the global economy? f. How is fertile land being 'grabbed' from potentially vulnerable populations? g. Why is the issue of soil degradation not "current news"? Task 2 - Study the Soil Degradation map below carefully. Answer this IB 5 mark (target 9 minutes) question: Describe the distribution of global supplies of stable soil and comment on its suitability for future population use. Make sure you copy and paste this map next to your response for revision reference. Task 3 - Make a note of the four ways in which soil degradation can happen (see definitions to the right). Task 4 - Study the table below and take notes on the how overgrazing, over-cultivation deforestation, fertilizer & pesticide use and industrial pollution cause soil degradation. Task 5 - Take notes on the five physical causes of soil degradation as set out in the table below. 
Source: UNEP
|
Gone with the wind and washed away by water.....
Soil can be degraded in different ways. The main types of soil degradation are: | ||
Source: Greenfield Geography Wiki
|
Task 6 - IB exam question practice. Study the graphic to the right hand side. Answer this 5 mark question:
Examine the main causes of soil degradation globally and discuss to what extent they are human/physical in nature. Objective 2 - To be able to discuss the environmental and socio-economic consequences of soil degradation. Task 7 - Split into pairs and carry out some research to find out how the following factors are linked to soil degradation: a. Desertification (fertile land turning into desert) b. Dust storms c. Topsoil erosion d. Famine & starvation e. Conflict Share what you have collected with each other and then answer this question: Outline the most serious threats posed to the physical environment and vulnerable populations by soil degradation. (8) Objective 3 -To be able to discuss soil degradation management strategies. You should now have a good understanding of the causes and consequences of soil degradation. You must now gather information so that you are able to discuss management strategies (like Freshwater). Task 8 - Watch the two videos to the right hand side and this six minute video from BBC Futures and make notes of the successful strategies in China and Africa. Read Geo Factsheet 191 - Soil Degradation, A Creeping Concern. Page 1-3 contains information that you are already familiar with. Turn to page 4 and read the information on 'Managing Soil Degradation' carefully. Task 9 - Complete the task above Fig.5 on page 5. You might want to screenshot the diagram and add text boxes with full descriptions of methods 1-6. Task 10 - Complete the exam question on page 5 of the Geo Factsheet using the 'Answer Guideline' to help you. |
|
