![](https://i.imgur.com/D1tjffg.jpg)
*Photo by Eduardo Prim on [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/3u51-uLQICc)*

Soil is recognized to be at the Uppermost layer of Earth's surface composed of several microorganisms and imperative particles that help the existence of other animals passively or actively. 

Different species of teeny tiny organisms are determined in the soil and they supply plants with the nutrients needed for development through the decomposition of natural matters in the soil while the vegetation makes use of this simply available nutrient for their day-to-day activities.

This fundamental nutrient will become restricted when farmers introduce farming practices on the soil that can lead to the destruction of the beneficial organisms dwelling in the soil. 

Certain practices carried out on the soil by farmers can deplete the existence of beneficial microorganisms in the soil and when this occurs, plants will exhibit abnormal growth, even our surroundings will be affected as well. 

Readers, on this route I am going to show you the penalties of some farming practices through farmers and how it influences our environment.
## <center>Some of the farming strategies with their influence on the environment</center>
![3zpz8WQe4SNGWd7TzozjPgq3rggennavDx3XPY35pEAVnpq77jw4XPQMecE5Rz5bgPEz1Z1oZLbNW5N67oF5YfojwgQAL2FYSdD4RtUiqqjd7JEiagRSFFDh1UcFPpKDSFF7LXFTUzQazXN5piXY.png](https://images.hive.blog/DQmcH36QchVm2vr8GUe19xi9C37BkqKDE6YnjNrp8nChozy/3zpz8WQe4SNGWd7TzozjPgq3rggennavDx3XPY35pEAVnpq77jw4XPQMecE5Rz5bgPEz1Z1oZLbNW5N67oF5YfojwgQAL2FYSdD4RtUiqqjd7JEiagRSFFDh1UcFPpKDSFF7LXFTUzQazXN5piXY.png)

### Bush burning
This is the well-adapted practice many farmers hire when they desire to clear out a very giant component of land. 

Hunters in the African Communities take benefit of bush burning to chase rodents out from their area of interest without minding the harm being achieved to the soil indirectly. 

Although Bush burning may additionally launch minerals like potassium and phosphorus to the soil in form of ashes and can stimulate the development of new pastures especially for the duration of the dry season, damage soil-borne pathogens, and destroy seed weeds, there are some rationales why Bush burning is now not a commonly conventional approach for bush control. 

This is due to the fact it destroys the organic matter contained in the soil and reduces the populace of beneficial soil organisms. Bush burning affect the soil pH with the aid of growing the level of soil alkalinity, exposing the soil to erosion and leaching. It can additionally oxidize nitrogen and sulfur into their gaseous form hence, lowering their level in the soil. 
It promotes environmental pollution as well.

## Overgrazing
According to *[Wikipedia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overgrazing),*
>Overgrazing occurs when plants are exposed to intensive grazing for extended periods of time, or without sufficient recovery periods.
>
This is to say that overgrazing is a situation where more animals than can be supported on a unique pasture are put there to graze. It is a way of exceeding the carrying capacity of the soil. 

Though greater faces are introduced to the soil at some point of grazing by means of the animal which could improve the fertility of the soil and weed is without difficulty eradicated from such land however there are some influences overgrazing can affect on the soil and the surroundings too.
![](https://i.imgur.com/eepZE7M.jpg)
Grazing of Animal on an open field
*Photo by [CC0 Public Domain](https://pxhere.com/en/photo/62969) on pxhere*

Overgrazing depletes the vegetative cowl of the soil and causes poor growth. It leads to the compaction of the soil ensuing from non-stop trampling beneath animal hoofs and consequently the soil is exposed to erosion. 

Since compacted soil reduces water infiltration and this can lead to surface runoff of the soil or waterlogging and adequate air is no longer allowed into the soil due to the fact of the poor space. 

Overgrazing exposes the soil to enlarge soil water evaporation and leads to a loss in soil fertility. It can additionally promote global warming considering the fact that there are no longer adequate plants to make use of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

## Clean clearing
![](https://i.imgur.com/hJ3s5Bf.jpg)
Bare landscape
*Photo by [CC0 Public Domain](https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1220863) on pxhere*

This is an exercise of the whole elimination of vegetation from the land for this reason leaving the land bear.

This may additionally show up when unwanted plants are wanted to be eradicated from the land. 

Despite the above benefits derive from land clearing there are nevertheless Potent outcomes this exercise can have on the soil.

Land-clearing have a tendency to expose the soil to direct daylight and it increases the temperature of the soil consequently facilitating speedy evaporation of water to the environment considering that there is no vegetation to cowl the soil. 

A heavy downpour can without problems wash away or disturb the Uppermost topsoil as a consequence, erosion is increased. 
![](https://i.imgur.com/LquHrkg.jpg)
*Erosion caused by heavy downpour*
*source:[Wikipedia](https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eroding_rill_in_field_in_eastern_Germany.jpg#mw-jump-to-license), author:Katharina Helming, [CC BY-SA 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0/deed.en)*

It additionally leads to a reduction of microorganisms in the soil and when this occurs, organic humus supplied to the soil through these organisms is decreased because organic matters are not decomposed anymore. 

Continuous wash away of the soil floor results in loss of vitamins and leaching therefore soil shape or compaction ought to be disturbed. It can upset the ecosystem or ecological balance.

## Fertilizer Application
This is one of the widespread practices shown via farmers. It entails the utility of certain chemical substances or resources to the soil to boost its fertility. 
There are many compounds employed these days through farmers as fertilizer. 

I accept as true very well that we all know the significance of fertilizer to the soil. But before we list out the merits derive from this practice, let us look at the extraordinary effect of fertilizers on the soil and the surroundings as well. 

Excessive application of fertilizer can lead to the soil being too acidic subsequently plants that can no longer face up to this degree of acidity are eradicated immediately.

Again, activities of the organisms in the soil are reduced due to the fact that their environment has become so uncomfortable for them to live on due to the soil pH. 

On the different hand, any surrounding river or water pond is affected due to fertilizers washed down into the water after a rainfall therefore organisms living in the water may finally die as the surroundings are no longer supportive for them. 

And finally making use of too much of fertilizer to positive plants that do not require extra fertilizer can also hinder the growth of the crop.

Now let us proceed to the advantage of fertilizer application. Like we can acknowledge, fertilizers furnish the soil with nutrients. 
![](https://i.imgur.com/qDAIJb4.jpg)
*Farmer giving granulated fertilizer to young tomato plants. Hand in glove holding shovel and fertilize seedling in organic garden*
*Source:[Shutterstock](https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/farmer-giving-granulated-fertilizer-young-tomato-1087283084)*

It improves the productivity capacity of the soil microorganisms and their life on the grounds that positive elements observed in fertilizer promote the improvement of these organisms. Therefore the pastime of the microorganisms in the soil is simulated. Fertilizers boost the growth of vegetation and simultaneously, limit the incidence of erosion.

## Organic manuring
This is the practice of applying ruminants and decays of plant and animal by-products to improve agricultural production. Organic manure entails the use of prepare natural remains of plant life and animals to improve the productivity of crops with the aid of improving soil fertility. Organic manure as a way of improving soil fertility has the following advantage.

 It promotes the activities of soil-dwelling organisms such as earthworms, termites, and microbes.

These organisms promote aeration of soil easily, percolation of water mixing natural materials with soil structure humus and fix nitrogen into the soil.

 Organic manure helps improve the shape of the soil by means of constructing the particles of coarse texture soil together. Also, the mineralization of humus adds nutrients to the soil. 

It reduces fast temperature fluctuation. As a result of its dark color, humus effortlessly absorbs heat during the day and loses it slowly at night.

Moisture is conserved and evaporation from the soil is avoided with the assist of natural manure. Because natural manure is composed of several compounds and has a buffering impact on the soil, that is, it balances the acid-base circumstance of the soil ypH.

Erosion is without problems controlled due to the fact it improved the structure of the soil and reduces the pace of the runoff hence water holding capacity is increased. 

Organic manure improves the aeration of the soil, activities of organic microorganisms, and increases the fee of water percolation through clay soil.

All these blessings of organic manure help to hold or even promote the availability of nutrients in the soil.

However, these are the demerits of organic manure. This manner of manuring application may additionally lead to the introduction of pathogens to the soil and it can also have unfavorable outcomes on crops if not properly applied.

In conclusion, positive farming practices are beneficial to the surroundings while some effects the ecosystem. Farmers should be conscious of any farming techniques they are to interact with to keep the ideal stability of our ecosystem. 

## References
•*The Effects of Bush Burning on Soil Conditions[Link](https://sciencing.com/the-effects-of-bush-burning-on-soil-conditions-13427774.html)*
•*Effects of Land Clearing[Link](https://sciencing.com/effects-of-land-clearing-13406919.html)*
•*Effect of Excess Fertilizers and Nutrients: A Review on Impact on Plants and Human Population[Link](https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3358171)*
•*ESSENTIAL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE FOR SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL BY O.A IWENA/ISBN 978-978-52654-9-1*
•*Impacts of Overgrazing: Land Degradation, Soil Erosion and Loss of Useful Species[Link](https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/environment/natural-resources/impacts-of-overgrazing-land-degradation-soil-erosion-and-loss-of-useful-species/30033)*

![3zpz8WQe4SNGWd7TzozjPgq3rggennavDx3XPY35pEAVnpq77jw4XPQMecE5Rz5bgPEz1Z1oZLbNW5N67oF5YfojwgQAL2FYSdD4RtUiqqjd7JEiagRSFFDh1UcFPpKDSFF7LXFTUzQazXN5piXY.png](https://images.hive.blog/DQmcH36QchVm2vr8GUe19xi9C37BkqKDE6YnjNrp8nChozy/3zpz8WQe4SNGWd7TzozjPgq3rggennavDx3XPY35pEAVnpq77jw4XPQMecE5Rz5bgPEz1Z1oZLbNW5N67oF5YfojwgQAL2FYSdD4RtUiqqjd7JEiagRSFFDh1UcFPpKDSFF7LXFTUzQazXN5piXY.png)

![PicsArt_12-04-07.49.48.jpg](https://images.hive.blog/DQmavG6C4RvP1Xwb1N1WzugnfjdQ12825ksp8t6x5yxQRjD/PicsArt_12-04-07.49.48.jpg)