Soil erosion conservation tillage benefits

Because soil sediment has an extremely negative impact on streams, rivers, and lakes, erosion reductions credited to conservation tillage provide major benefits to aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, conservation tillage benefits wildlife by providing more crop residues for cover, more food sources (grain and weed seed left on the soil surface, as well as a greater number and variety of invertebrates), and less field disturbance. 

Peters RD, Sturz AV, Carter MA, Sanderson JB (2003) Developing disease-suppressive soils through crop rotation and tillage management practices. Soil Till Res 72 181-192 Pfiffner L, Luka H (2003) Effects of low-input farming systems on carabids and epigeal spiders - a paired farm approach. Basic Appl Ecol 4 117-127 Pimentel D, Harvey C, Resosudarmo P, Sinclair K, Kurz D, McNair M, Crist S, Shpritz L, Fitton L, Saffouri R, Blair R (1995) Environmental and economic costs of soil erosion and conservation benefits. Science 267 1117-1123... 

The use of conservation tillage, made possible by triazine and other herbicides, has dramatically reduced soil erosion and its on- and off-site impacts. Significant benefits from the use of herbicides such as the triazines can be realized because conservation tillage reduces erosion, sedimentation, and flooding. By creating a crop field with many features comparable to those in natural areas, conservation tillage also provides other benefits to the environment and to wildlife. 

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