January 28, 2013 Q-2 Pg.Daily Goal: We will evaluate how our actions affect the

surface of the earth’s soil. We will prove our evaluations based on the information we gather from GIS maps.

Homework: Complete study guide (will be handed out on Tuesday). Study for Thursday’s test! Complete your Dust

Bowl project (due next Monday, February 4th).

Science Starter: 1.The Eiffel Tower gets about 6 inches taller in the heat of the summer. Why? 2.Describe the layers of the soil (the soil horizons).3.Which layer of soil is most exposed to weathering?4.Which type of soil has the biggest particles? The smallest?

Scientists use maps to keep track of changes in the soil.

• Why do we need to know what is happening to the soil across the earth?

• What kinds of changes are important to watch out for?

• How do we monitor changes?

New Technology Since the 1970s

• Remote SensingSatellite photos (visual & infrared)Aerial photosHydrographic gaugesSeismographsTraffic sensors

• Global Positioning System • Geographic Information System

Global Positioning System (GPS)

• Integrated network of satellites orbiting the Earth

• Satellites broadcast location information to receivers on the earth’s surface (in vehicles or hand-held devices)

• With a GPS receiver, a person can obtain highly accurate info about their location (latitude & longitude) GPS was originally developed by

the U.S. military to direct missiles to their targets

Geographic Information System (GIS)

• Various software programs that allow geographers to

Map Analyze Model

Spatial data• Uses thematic layers

Geographic Information System (GIS)

• Each thematic layer is a map that contains specific features

• Multiple layers may be combined or turned off

Let’s try it out!

• http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/mapping/interactive-map/?ar_a=1

We know that our actions affect the land, but why does it matter?

In your notebook, write a hypothesis for this question.1.Imagine that an apple represents Earth. You can cut the apple into halves, quarters, thirds, etc. How much of the apple do you think would represent the amount of fertile soil on earth?

Let’s find out!

• How does the amount of fertile soil compare with what you hypothesized?

• Do you think that the amount of fertile soil on Earth is increasing or decreasing each year? Be sure to explain your answer.

What can we do to make sure that we are protecting our soil?

• Crop Rotation – planting different plants on the same land during different years or growing seasons

Crop RotationExample:Wheat plants take a lot of nitrogen from soil. Bean plants have bacteria that give nitrogen back to the soil. Wheat farmers often plant a crop of wheat one year and beans the next year to make sure that the soil’s nutrients are being replenished.

What would happen if they just kept growing wheat?

What can we do to make sure that we are protecting our soil?

• Conservation Tillage – Farmers plow their fields less often. Some farmers who use conservation tillage don’t plow their fields at all.

When soil is plowed, it loosens it up and makes it easier to blow away. Dead plants and roots help keep the soil in place.

What can we do to make sure that we are protecting our soil?

• Terraces – flat, step-like surfaces built on hillsides to catch rainwater and stop it from rolling down a hill

What can we do to make sure that we are protecting our soil?

• Contour Plowing – plowing along the curves of a slope. It helps channel rain water to stop it from rolling down the hill and taking soil with it.

What can we do to make sure that we are protecting our soil?

• Wind Breaks – rows of trees planted to block the wind from carrying off the soil in certain areas

Apply your knowledge!• When I was driving to North Carolina from

Oregon, I drove through Wyoming. Wyoming is very flat. It has almost no mountains and few large hills, but it has a lot of farms. When I was driving, I saw a lot of these. What do you think these are used for?

If the goal is to block the wind, why do they leave spaces in between the boards?

This was built by the Incas in Peru. What type of soil conservation were

they using?

BONUS TABLE GROUP POINTS!

• Where is Peru on a map?

Exit Ticket

• Answer these on a separate piece of paper. Write the question and the answer.

1.I am a farmer in Montana. I live in a flat area, but I want to make sure that I don’t lose soil to erosion. What are two methods that I could use? Explain your answer.

2.What is the layer of soil with the most nutrients?

3.How does humus affect the color of soil?