The BIG picture our BIOSPHERE REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE
The BIG picture… …. . our BIOSPHERE
REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE
PRECYCLING n GIVING THOUGHT to what you NEED n Making CHOICES with the LEAST IMPACT n n If buying NEW is the best choice… CONSIDER PACKAGING and it’s IMPACT USE it up… WEAR it out… MAKE it do… …or DO WITHOUT !
WHY REDUCE our IMPACT on the EARTH? n n n The United States is 5% of the WORLD’S POPULATION, but… … the United States PRODUCES 25% of the WORLD’S WASTE!!! This is our BASIS for SUSTAINABILITY
The IMPORTANCE of SOILS n n “SOIL is the most COMPLEX ECOLOGICAL SYSTEM on the PLANET” IMPORTANT to CIVILIZATIONS n n n http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Nm. A 6 sw 5 ZSyk GROWING POPULATIONS, but LIMITED LANDS SOIL is an INTERFACE between CRUST and ATMOSPHERE
n The SOIL's CRUST n If you have a GIGANTIC APPLE - 200’ in diameter …. the SKIN would represent the CRUST of the earth…and the SOIL: EARTH ratio
n INTERFACE between CRUST and ATMOSPHERE n TEMPERATURE
n INTERFACE between CRUST and ATMOSPHERE n CARBON CYCLE through gas exchange
n INTERFACE between CRUST and ATMOSPHERE n NITROGEN CYCLE
n INTERFACE between CRUST and ATMOSPHERE n MINERAL CYCLES - Phosphorus
n INTERFACE between CRUST and ATMOSPHERE n WATER CYCLE
The IMPORTANCE of SOILS n n IMPORTANT to CIVILIZATIONS GROWING POPULATIONS, but LIMITED LANDS SOIL is an INTERFACE between CRUST and ATMOSPHERE SOIL is a MEDIUM for PLANT GROWTH
n SOIL is a MEDIUM for PLANT GROWTH n n Anchorage Water – H 2 O Oxygen – O 2 14 Essential Nutrients N, P, K, n Ca, Mg, S n B, Cl, Cu, Fe, n Ni, Mn, Mo, Zn n
SOIL MATRIX n 3 PHASE SYSTEM – The arrangement of SOLID, LIQUID and GAS in SOILS n The IDEAL soil …
n ROOTS grow in PORE SPACES
n ROOTS grow in OPTIMAL CONDITIONS n n n Best Pore Spaces Best Water Best Oxygen Best Nutrients ROOTS also grow … …in the PATH of LEAST RESISTANCE
AGRICULTURAL USES of SOILS n CROPLAND
AGRICULTURAL USES of SOILS n GRAZING LAND
AGRICULTURAL USES of SOILS n FOREST LAND
AGRICULTURAL USES of SOILS n ORNAMENTAL LANDSCAPES
NON-AGRICULTURAL USES of SOILS n RECREATIONAL
NON-AGRICULTURAL USES of SOILS n BUILDING FOUNDATIONS n Shrink-swell
NON-AGRICULTURAL USES of SOILS n BUILDING FOUNDATIONS n Load Bearing Capacity
NON-AGRICULTURAL USES of SOILS n WASTE DISPOSAL
NON-AGRICULTURAL USES of SOILS n BUILDING MATERIALS n Traditional Sod and Adobe
NON-AGRICULTURAL USES of SOILS n BUILDING MATERIALS n Newer Rammed Earth and Cobb techniques
NON-AGRICULTURAL USES of SOILS n LANDSCAPE BUILDING MATERIALS n Engineered Soils
LAND USE in the United States n n Most land is in AGRICULTURAL (25%), RANGELAND (27%) and FOREST LAND (27%) Much is being LOST to URBAN DEVELOPMENT (7% and growing) …
LAND USE in the WORLD n … and SOIL DEGRADATION n n n Erosion Pollution Loss of Organic Matter Desertification Changes in Chemistry Salination – Saltiness
LAND USE in the WORLD n n n SOILS are NONRENEWABLE in our lifetimes BMP’s – Best Management Practices are important to understand implement to MAINTAIN SOIL QUALITY http: //www. youtube. com/wa tch? v=5 M 3 QT 0 CI 9 w. A
What Can You Do? n VALUE: Reduce Material Consumption n n I value longevity, quality over quantity, sharing and spacious simplicity VALUE: Conserve Energy and Natural Resources n I value the limited gifts and life forms of the natural world and will not waste them thoughtlessly n n From BE the CHANGE - ACTION GUIDE ACTIONS and IMPACT n What actions do I do, daily or regularly, to lessen my impact on the earth? (Big or small, it doesn’t matter…. baby steps count!)
- Slides: 31