A soil conservationist is in charge of ensuring that the land remains in good condition. People in this position collaborate with the government, farmers, and private landowners to address erosion, overuse, and chemical alteration issues. Management strategies differ depending on the region and the problem at hand. Because soil and water have an effect on each other, it is common to see soil and water conservationists working together.
Nutrient depletion in fields is one of the most serious issues that farmers face. This can be avoided by rotating crops so that the nutrients used by plants one year are returned to the soil the following year by crops planted. Planting a row of trees, referred to as a windbreak, to keep the soil intact, as well as other management techniques, can help to prevent field erosion. Over-salinization, or too much salt, causes the earth to become barren in some areas, and there are a variety of techniques that can be used to address this issue, though it can also be caused by the wrong type of irrigation system. These are all options that a farmer might be presented with by a soil conservationist.
A soil conservationist might also work on a piece of land’s pH levels. The pH scale is a system for determining how acidic or base a soil is; if the pH is too high or too low, the soil’s use may be restricted. In this case, it is the responsibility of a soil conservationist to determine why the soil has an incorrect pH level and to determine how to correct it while ensuring that no nearby waterways are harmed.
Analysis of organisms in the soil may also be part of the job description for soil conservationists. A conservationist would work to introduce the appropriate bacteria or fungi into the area if certain bacteria or fungi indicate a problem. Minerals in the soil go through the same process.
A candidate for a job as a soil conservationist typically needs four or more years of experience in the fields of agronomy, agriculture, crop and soil science, or environmental science. The majority of a person’s time in this position is spent conducting research and taking corrective action in the field, and it is considered physically demanding. For a person in this field to hold a teaching or research position, postgraduate studies are frequently required. A soil conservationist can work on a local, regional, or federal level, or directly with one farmer or landowner, depending on their experience and education.