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Soil conservationists work with farmers and landowners to prevent erosion, overuse, and chemical alteration. They may address issues such as nutrient depletion, erosion, salinization, pH levels, and soil organisms. A degree in agronomy, agriculture, crop and soil science, or environmental science is generally required.
A soil conservationist is the person responsible for ensuring that the land remains in good shape. People in this position work with government, farmers, and private landowners to help solve problems of erosion, overuse, and chemical alteration. Management strategies vary by region and the specific problem. It is common to find soil and water conservationists working together, as soil and water affect each other.
One of the biggest problems faced by farmers is the depletion of nutrients in the fields. This can be avoided by rotating crops so that nutrients used by plants in one year are returned to the soil by crops planted the following year. Field erosion can be combated by planting a row of trees, known as a windbreak, to keep the soil intact, in addition to other management techniques. In certain regions, excessive salinization or excess salt causes the land to become barren, and there are many techniques that can be used to help with this problem, although it can be caused by the wrong type of irrigation system. These are all solutions a soil conservationist can present to a farmer.
A soil conservationist may also work on the pH levels of a given piece of land. The pH scale is a measurement system used to determine how acidic or basic a soil is, and if the pH is too high or too low, soil use may be limited. In that case, it’s a soil conservationist’s job to figure out why the soil has an inappropriate pH level and figure out how to change it, ensuring it doesn’t damage any nearby waterways.
Soil conservation work may also include the analysis of soil organisms. Certain bacteria or fungi are indicative of problems, and a conservationist would work to introduce the correct organisms into the area. The same process is true for minerals in the soil.
To obtain a soil conservation job, it is generally required that a candidate have four or more years of training in the fields of agronomy, agriculture, crop and soil science, or environmental science. Most people’s time in this position is spent in the field conducting research and taking corrective action, and this is considered to be quite physically demanding. Postgraduate studies are often required for a person in this field to take up a teaching or research position. Depending on experience and education, a soil conservationist may work at the local, regional or federal level, or work directly with a farmer or landowner.
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