Farming Types and Soil Resource Impacts
Types of Farms and Their Impacts
Surface Mining (Pedrera)
Surface mining, or Pedrera, is used when resources are shallow. It involves low-cost extraction of industrial rocks and minerals. This type of exploitation removes material from a mountain using a horizontal front operation. The consequences include:
- Loss of soil
- Landscape impact
- Noise pollution (machinery, trucks)
- Vibration
- Dust pollution
- Risk of landslides after abandonment
Gravel Extraction
Gravel deposits are extracted from sediment, such as river terraces. These sediments may contain water, leading to alterations in water dynamics or pollution. Often, the resulting holes are used as landfills, eventually contaminating groundwater.
Open-Cast Mines
Open-cast mines are used when minerals are dispersed in the subsoil. This method creates a large, funnel-shaped hole with jagged walls, which can affect aquifers. Drilling generates dust and vibrations, causing disturbance to nearby populations. Washing processes can also lead to acidic water runoff.
Deep Mines
Deep mines are used for exploiting mineral concentrates at depth, using vertical or horizontal drilling. Mining can lead to risks of subsidence or landslides, especially in shallow water areas. The drainage of mineral deposits can produce sterile, contaminated water.
Soil as a Resource
Agricultural Land Use
Agriculture and related activities modify and humanize the environment. These changes include:
- Farming practices that alter soil horizons
- Fertilizer application
- Irrigation systems
- Anti-erosion measures (terraces, walls)
A key factor in farming is converting soil to agricultural land for crops or pastures, which differs from its natural state. Fertile soil provides necessary plant nutrients for growth. While there isn’t an ideal soil for all agriculture, aeration and drainage are crucial for good plant growth.
Rangeland
Rangelands are extensions of grassland or pasture land. These grasslands are not cultivated but are used for grazing. Livestock is a significant factor in soil dynamics. Common livestock species include cattle, pigs, sheep, and rabbits.
Within the livestock sector, we can distinguish between:
- Traditional herding: Subsistence practices based on nomadism, yielding low meat and milk production.
- Modern animal husbandry: Uses prepared feeds.
Transhumance involves the migration of herders and livestock between mountain meadows in summer and lowlands in winter. Today, transhumance has lost much of its importance due to the reduction of available grassland areas.
Forestry
Forestry encompasses techniques applied to the exploitation of forests. There are two types of forests:
- High seed forests: Reproduced sexually from seeds, consisting of large trees.
- Low forests: Reproduced vegetatively from shoots and smaller trees.
In low forests, frequent clearances must be avoided to allow regrowth. In seed forests, harvesting is periodic. Forests have always been a source of raw materials. Sustainable forest management includes the use of biomass from crust augmentation.