Across
- 4. Interval when land is left unplanted to restore fertility naturally.
- 8. Compression of soil particles reducing pore space, aeration, and water infiltration.
- 9. Planting trees on cleared land to restore vegetation cover and stabilize soil.
- 10. Capacity of soil to provide nutrients and support plant growth.
- 11. Water flow over land surface when infiltration is insufficient, often causing erosion.
- 14. Presence of toxic substances (pesticides, heavy metals, hydrocarbons) reducing soil biological activity and safety.
- 15. Removal of trees and vegetation cover, leading to loss of root binding and increased erosion.
- 17. Deep, wide channels carved by running water on unprotected slopes.
- 20. Establishing forest cover on land not previously forested.
- 21. Saturation of soil with water, displacing air and reducing oxygen availability for roots.
- 23. Formation of small channels by concentrated water flow on slopes.
- 25. Rows of trees or shrubs planted to reduce wind speed and protect soil.
- 26. Covering the soil surface with organic material to reduce evaporation and erosion.
- 28. Agricultural system avoiding synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, emphasizing compost and soil health.
- 31. A broader form of windbreak designed to protect large agricultural areas.
- 32. Strategies to prevent soil erosion and degradation, maintaining fertility and structure.
- 34. Amount of stable organic matter improving soil structure and water retention.
- 39. Continuous cropping that exhausts soil nutrients and structure without sufficient fallow or fertilization.
- 40. Removal of topsoil by agents such as wind or water, reducing fertility and increasing sedimentation elsewhere.
- 43. Speed at which water enters the soil surface; high in sandy soils, low in clays.
- 45. Nutrient enrichment of water bodies by leached fertilizers, causing algal blooms and oxygen depletion.
- 47. Coordinated approach combining conservation, fertilization, and crop practices to sustain soil productivity.
- 49. Integration of trees with crops or livestock to enhance biodiversity, soil stability, and nutrient cycling.
- 50. Mass of dry soil per unit volume, indicating compaction and porosity.
Down
- 1. Cultivation along lines of equal elevation to reduce runoff and soil loss.
- 2. Proportion of void spaces in soil affecting air and water movement.
- 3. The soil’s capacity to recover structure, fertility, and function after disturbance.
- 5. Use of organisms to detoxify polluted soils.
- 6. Decrease in soil pH due to acid rain, fertilizers, or organic matter decomposition.
- 7. Alternating crops on the same land to maintain nutrient balance and reduce pests.
- 12. Mechanical turning or loosening of soil to prepare for planting; excessive tillage can cause erosion and compaction.
- 13. Soil-free crop cultivation in nutrient solutions, avoiding soil degradation entirely.
- 16. Accumulation of salts in the soil surface layer due to poor irrigation or drainage.
- 18. The decline in soil quality and productivity due to natural or human factors such as erosion, compaction, salinization, or nutrient loss.
- 19. Down-slope transport of soil or rock under gravity (e.g. landslides).
- 22. Movement of dry, loose soil particles by wind; common in arid regions.
- 24. Uniform removal of soil surface by rainfall and runoff.
- 27. depletion Reduction of essential plant nutrients in soil, lowering fertility.
- 29. Formation of a dense, hard layer on the soil surface due to raindrop impact or irrigation, impeding seedling growth.
- 30. Agricultural practice of growing a single crop species over a large area, reducing biodiversity and resilience.
- 33. Farming that meets current needs without compromising soil fertility or environmental integrity for the future.
- 35. Plants grown between main crops to protect and enrich the soil, often legumes that fix nitrogen.
- 36. Loss of soluble nutrients as they are washed downward by percolating water.
- 37. The fertile uppermost soil layer rich in organic matter and nutrients; easily lost to erosion.
- 38. The process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically through drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture.
- 41. Proportion of applied water actually used by crops; higher efficiency reduces salinization risk.
- 42. System delivering water directly to plant roots, minimizing evaporation and salt buildup.
- 44. Creation of stepped fields on slopes to slow water flow and reduce erosion.
- 46. Strategic arrangement of human activities to minimize environmental degradation.
- 48. Excessive grazing by livestock that damages vegetation and exposes soil to erosion.