Water conservation helps manage fresh water wisely, protects water in the environment, and meets the needs of people today and in the future. It helps prevent water shortages. It includes all rules, plans, and actions needed to achieve these goals.
Carbon sequestration is the natural process of storing carbon in places like forests, oceans, or rocks. It helps manage the Earth’s carbon cycle and reduces the amount of carbon dioxide in the air, which is important for limiting climate change. There are two main types of carbon sequestration: biological (also called biosequestration) and geological.
Biochar is a type of charcoal, sometimes altered, that is used in soil. It is the lightweight black material left after biomass is heated without oxygen, made mostly of carbon and ash. Although its name includes “bio,” biochar has no living organisms right after it is made.
Vermicompost is the result of a breaking down process that uses certain types of worms, such as red wigglers, white worms, and other earthworms. These worms help mix decomposing vegetable or food waste, bedding materials, and vermicast. This process is called vermicomposting.
Compost is a mixture of materials used as plant fertilizer and to improve soil’s physical, chemical, and biological properties. It is made by breaking down plant and food waste, recycling organic materials, and using manure. The final product is rich in nutrients and helpful microorganisms, such as bacteria, protozoa, nematodes, and fungi.
Crop rotation is the method of planting different kinds of crops in the same area over several growing seasons. This method helps crops use different nutrients, lowers the chance of pests and weeds becoming too common, and reduces the risk of pests and weeds becoming resistant to control methods. Planting the same crop in the same place for many years, called monocropping, can cause the soil to lose certain nutrients and allow pests and weeds that specifically target that crop to grow more easily.
No-till farming, also called zero tillage or direct drilling, is a farming method used to grow crops or grass without turning over the soil. This technique helps reduce soil erosion caused by traditional farming methods, especially in sandy or dry soil on hillsides. Other benefits may include more water soaking into the soil, better storage of organic material in the soil, and improved movement of nutrients.
Sustainable agriculture is farming that helps protect the environment, uses natural resources wisely, and makes sure that non-renewable resources are used in a helpful way. It can be based on understanding how natural processes support farming. There are many ways to make farming more sustainable.
Biodynamic agriculture is a type of farming that started in 1924 and was created by Rudolf Steiner. It is one of the first methods of organic farming. This approach sees soil health, plant growth, and animal care as connected parts of an ecosystem.
Agroecology is an area of study that examines how natural processes work in farming systems. Using ideas from nature can help find new ways to manage farms. The term agroecology can describe a science, a movement, or a farming method.