Soils Support Civilization
Soils have been the cornerstone of great civilizations throughout history, from Mesopotamia to the Nile to the challenges faced by the modern Green Revolution. Healthy soils support agriculture, provide essential nutrients, and are crucial for sustaining life and economic success. Explore the impact of soil quality on civilizations past and present.
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Presentation Transcript
Soils Support Civilization Presented by
Great Civilizations Built Due to Soil Mesopotamia Nile Mayan Green Revolution
Mesopotamia 2300 BC Fertile Crescent Built around the fertile soils between the Tigris and Euphrates Land Between Rivers Irrigated Agriculture Destroyed by Salts Source: https://bftaxhelp.wordpress.com/about- property-taxes/history-of-property-taxes/ancient- mesopotamia/
Nile River 2200 BC Soils was foundation for Agriculture Continual flooding deposited thick fertile soil Known as Kemet Black Lands Agriculture was responsible for survival, growth and economic success Source: http://www.rivervalleycivilizations.com/nile.php
Mayan 500 BC Deforested for cities and crops Initial high soil fertility Rapid decrease in productivity due to poor soil fertility Mayan Collapse Soil Erosion Land Degradation Source: http://www.fao.org/docrep/011/i0440f/i0440f02.htm Source: www.worldwildlife.org
Green Revolution Modern Day Improved Agricultural Practices Soil Management Plant Genetics Increased Yields Challenges
Green Revolution Challenges Soil Salinity Australia California Deforestation South America Africa Southeast Asia Urban Sprawl United States Land Degradation Worldwide Erosion
Healthy Soils Support Agriculture Provide and hold water Provide and release nutrients Protect environments by: Filtering water Storing water Storing nutrient Storing carbon
Agriculture Support Civilizations Source: www.socialphy.com Source: http://www.ancientmesopotamians.com/ancient- mesopotamia-crops.html Source: www.khanacademy.org
No Soil No Civilizations Great Civilizations have been supported and destroyed based on soil quality. Without healthy soils a healthy civilization cannot survive
No Soil No Civilizations A nation that destroys its soil destroys itself Franklin D. Roosevelt
Sources Sources http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/what-is-the-green-revolution-definition-benefits-and- issues.html#lesson Green Revolution http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/water/quality/tr/?cid=nrcs143_010914 Soil Salinity References
The UN Declared 2015 as the International Year of Soils (IYS) to bring more attention to this important natural resource. The Soil Science Society of America celebrates IYS and is happy to bring you this presentation. We hope you take the time to learn more about soils at the many resources listed at the end of this presentation, as you learn more about how Soils Sustain Life
Thank you for listening! For further information, visit: Soils.org/discover-soils information about all things soil! Soils4teachers.org Lesson plans, activities, etc. for teachers Soils4kids.org activities for the K-12 audience Follow us on facebook.com/iheartsoil Brought to you by the Soil Science Society of America Soils sustain life! 2/15/2025 14
