4.13 City Farm Lab Part 1

Nitrogen

Potassium

Phosphorous

Legumes like peas and beans

Fruit crops like tomatoes and bananas

Root crops like carrots and potatoes

Nitrogen

Phosphorous

Potassium

Earthworms

Bacteria & fungi

Pesticides

Because legumes naturally replenish nitrogen, reducing the need to artificially add it to the soil

Because soil microorganisms work more efficiently when different crops are planted

Because rotating crops prevents any single nutrient from being depleted too quickly

physical, chemical, biological

temperature, moisture, nutrients

structure, fertility, organisms

Resistance to wind and rain erosion

High organic carbon content

Pore spaces for water drainage

Chemicals to prevent pests

Optimal soil nutrients and pH with minimal nutrient loss

High levels of inorganic fertilizers

They help with nutrient cycling and decomposition

They eliminate all pests permanently

They reduce plant growth and increase soil compaction

Where one single species of plant or animal is grown or raised on its own

A field with many different species of plants growing together

A farming method that uses only organic fertilizers

It produces too many crops

It becomes vulnerable to invasion of insects and disease

It grows plants faster than natural systems

A wide array of pests will eat each other and keep their population numbers in check

They are completely eliminated because they have no natural predators

They multiply rapidly and destroy all plants

To protect against against pests and disease

To improve soil fertility and nutrient content

To prevent soil erosion and water runoff

Mulch increases soil temperature and water evaporationcreases soil temperature, leading to high yeilds

Mulch reduces water evaporation and keeps soil cooler, leading to higher yields

Mulch increases soil temperature and water evaporation, leading to lower yields

Government policies actively promoted desert expansion across the region

Trees were cleared for farms, firewood, and construction, removing vegetation that retained water in soil

Increased rainfall and flooding damaged the soil structure

The tunnels created a barrier that stopped evaporation from the soil surface

The tunnels attracted more rainfall to the region during dry seasons

The tunnels prevented rainwater from flowing away and allowed it to sink deep into the soil

He used stone walls to slow runoff, planted trees to protect soil, and relied on tree roots to help retain water

He constructed underground channels to redirect all water directly to his crops

He created shallow ponds that would evaporate water slowly over the season