Question

Relate one conservation strategy that would reduce the effect of agricultural practices on water quality.

Answer 1

One conservation strategy that would reduce the effect of agricultural practices on water quality is to implement conservation tillage. Conservation tillage involves leaving the plant residue from the previous crop, or applying cover crops, on the soil surface to reduce erosion and protect the soil from water run-off. This will reduce the amount of soil and sediment that enters nearby bodies of water. It also improves the health of the soil and retains nutrients, reducing the need for fertilizers. As a result, conservation tillage can improve water quality by reducing the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus that enters watersheds, thereby reducing the occurrence of algal blooms and other deleterious effects in aquatic ecosystems.