T8-1 Soil Science & Management, 4E Chapter 8 Water Conservation.

T8-1 Soil Science & Management, 4E

Chapter 8

Water Conservation

T8-2 Soil Science & Management, 4E

Objectives• Explain the source of our fresh water

supplies• Explain the need for water conservation• Describe ways to make better use of water• Discuss water quality

T8-3 Soil Science & Management, 4E

Terms to Know• Aerationturf• Antitranspirants• Aquifer• Arid climate• Buffer strips• Conservation tillage• Consumptive use• Contour tillage• Evapotranspiration• Furrow-diking

• Groundwater Hydrologic cycle

• Hydrophilic gel polymers

• Mulch• Non-point sources• Point sources• Precipitation• Runoff

T8-4 Soil Science & Management, 4E

Terms to Know• Semiarid climate• Soil pitting• Strip-cropping• Stubble-mulching• Subsoiling• Surface water• Syringing• Terrace• Water table• Water-use efficiency

T8-5 Soil Science & Management, 4E

The Hydrologic Cycle

Figure 8-1

T8-6 Soil Science & Management, 4E

Water Resources in the United States

Figure 8-2

T8-7 Soil Science & Management, 4E

Figure 8-4

Water Resources in the United States

T8-8 Soil Science & Management, 4E

Reasons for Conservation

Figure 8-5

T8-9 Soil Science & Management, 4E

Reasons for Conservation

• Preservation of water resources

• Increased yields

• Reduced runoff

T8-10 Soil Science & Management, 4E

Water Use Efficiency

• Capture more water from precipitation

• Reduce consumptive use

• Improve irrigation systems

T8-11 Soil Science & Management, 4E

Capturing Water in Soil

• Improve filtration

• Lower percolation

T8-12 Soil Science & Management, 4E

Capturing Runoff

• Improving water intake rate

Figure 8-10

T8-13 Soil Science & Management, 4E

Capturing Runoff

• Capturing snowfall

• Reducing percolation

T8-14 Soil Science & Management, 4E

Reducing Consumptive Use

• Reducing evaporation

• Reducing transpiration

T8-15 Soil Science & Management, 4E

Reducing Consumptive Use

• Improving plant-use efficiency

Figure 8-13

T8-16 Soil Science & Management, 4E

Water Quality

• Water quality is as important as water quantity

T8-17 Soil Science & Management, 4E

Summary• Major water supplies

– Rainfall– Fresh surface water– Groundwater

• Best water use increases yields• Erosion controlled• Improve water use efficiency• Consumptive use reduced• Attention to contribution to water pollution