pdc+++ module 3 class 1 the soil

M3.1 pdc+++M3.1 pdc+++

We could say that the destructo-culture, based on industrialized agriculture, carries a basic dysfunction, which is to see the soil as an inanimate thing, a resource to be exploited, & even something that can

be seen as 'property' of human beings.This paradigm has to change because it is at the base of great injustices & of the destruction of the most

important base for life on Earth.In this class we meet the soil as a living being, an organism of enormous complexity & importance,

studying how it works in detail, from the microscopic to the global level.To know soil intimately is fundamental for any sustainable design & to have a direct & vital relationship

with this great organism helps us re-connect, physically as well as emotionally, with the Planet.

del

M3.1 SOILAn integral exploration

PDC++ +

Wangari Maathai

"Until you dig a hole, you plant a tree,

you water it and make it survive,

you haven't done a thing. You are just talking."

... and a tree needs

many cubic meters

of soil

rich in

organic matter

and millions of

bugs ...

Kenia, April 1th 1940 - September 25th 2011

M3.1 SOIL

• Geology & Ecology

• Agriculture

• Biology

• History & Culture

• Psychology

• PermaCulture

an integral exploration

according to ...

M3.1 SOIL

• Geology & Ecology

• Agriculture

• Biology

• History & Culture

• Psychology

• PermaCulture

an integral exploration

according to ...

SoilSoilgeologygeology

TypesTypes

TextureTexture

PlantsPlantsSupportSupport

DiversityDiversity

ProfileProfile (layers) (layers)

DrainageDrainage

Water Water absorption andabsorption and

retentionretentionStructureStructure

MineralsMinerals

AcidityAcidity(pH)(pH)

Alteration of the bedrock

How is soil created?

Life

How are soils created?

MagmaticMagmaticEruptionsEruptions

Modeled by Modeled by erosive agentserosive agents

WaterWater

WindWind

Trees andTrees and plantsplants

OrganicOrganicMatterMatter

OMOMCreateCreate

StructureStructure

SedimentationSedimentationInteractionsInteractions

WindWindRiversRivers& Seas& Seas

BedrockBedrock

TemperatureTemperature

8

13 oct 2011

10

13 oct 2011

Mineral fragments of Mineral fragments of various sizesvarious sizes

Stones > 256 mm Pebbles 64 a 256 mm 

Coarse Gravel 4 a 64 mm Fine Gravel 2 a 4 mm Coarse Sand 1 a 2 mm 

Sand 0.2 a 2 mm 

Finer Sand 0.02 a 0.2 mm 

Silt 0.002 a 0.02 mm 

Clay < 0.002 mm

Soil physical compositionSoil physical composition

MacroMacropores - aireationpores - aireationMicroMicropores - humidity pores - humidity Silt Clay

Gravel Sand

13

Soil Properties by TypeSoil Properties by Type

  SandySandy ClayClay CalcareousCalcareousPermeabilityPermeability HighHigh   NoneNone mediummedium

Water StorageWater Storage LowLow HighHigh LowLow

AireationAireation GoodGood BadBad GoodGood

Nutrients Nutrients  LowLow HighHigh Lots of Lots of CalciumCalcium

ClayClay

SandySandy

retains water and nutrientsretains water and nutrients

many possibilities many possibilities for improvementfor improvement

Lack of oxigenLack of oxigen

ColdColdWarmWarmmore gaseous more gaseous

exchangeexchangerapidrapid

decompositiondecompositionmany macropores, do not retain moisture many macropores, do not retain moisture

nor nutrientsnor nutrients

almost only micropores almost only micropores easily waterloggedeasily waterlogged

A0 Leaf Litter

A superficial (accumulates humus, and materials are washed down into B)

B accumulation of materials that come from A

C1 disaggregated Bedrock

C2 Bedrock

Soil Profiles

1818

Good to know what we have before starting in Good to know what we have before starting in order to make adjustmentsorder to make adjustments

pHpH

AcidicAcidic BasicBasicNeutralNeutral

The optimum pH for most vegetables is 6.8 (or The optimum pH for most vegetables is 6.8 (or 6 to 7)6 to 7)

pH= - log[H+]

o

pH= log (1/log [H+])

M3.1 SOIL

• Geology & Ecology

• Agriculture

• Biology

• History & Culture

• Psychology

• PermaCulture

an integral exploration

according to ...

Ecology is concerned about the erosion (disappearance) of soils and biodiversity

eg. U.S.A loses more eg. U.S.A loses more than 1,000 tons of than 1,000 tons of

soil / year, equiv. To soil / year, equiv. To 300,000 Has300,000 Has

about 100 million about 100 million hectares are hectares are affected by affected by

chemical chemical degradation and degradation and

saltssalts

It is a huge problemIt is a huge problem

'stable soils' (fertile) in orange - largely under the ice!

“Deserts are the footprint of Civilization”

External Actions Result External Actions Result ResourceResource

Elimination of weed floraElimination of weed flora Excessive and too deep tillageExcessive and too deep tillage None return of Organic MatterNone return of Organic Matter Burning Crop residue Burning Crop residue

OvergrazingOvergrazing Irrigation with brackish waterIrrigation with brackish water Pesticide applicationPesticide application and industrial fertilizersand industrial fertilizers

Excessive and too deep tillageExcessive and too deep tillage None return of organic matterNone return of organic matter Burning crop residue Burning crop residue Pesticide applicationPesticide application and industrial fertilizersand industrial fertilizers

Hydric and EolicHydric and EolicErosionErosion

chemical degradationchemical degradationand salt excessand salt excess

Biological and Physical Biological and Physical degradationdegradation

(elimination of(elimination of beneficial microbial life)beneficial microbial life)

SOILSOIL

Soil ErosionSoil Erosion

WindWind WaterWater

AggresiveAggresiveAgriculturalAgriculturalTechniquesTechniques

Affect more when the soil is exposedAffect more when the soil is exposed

deforestationdeforestation

soil compactionsoil compactionOvergrazingOvergrazing

plaguicidesplaguicidesfertilizersfertilizers

mallow

'Weeds' There is a technical definition (not just

“plants that grow without having been planted"):

of many types they have in common: they produce a lot of biomass, many seeds, prefer (they are “invited by”) anaerobic compacted and poor soils with Nitrogen surges ups and downs

are "volunteers" and are called "Adventitious Flora"

their job is to cover the ground, BRING UP minerals from the sub-soil, HARVEST water and seeds , CREATE BIOMASS to create humus. THEY CREATE SOIL!

'Weeds' = abundant biomass production

M3.1 SOIL

• Geology & Ecology

• Agriculture

• Biology

• History & Culture

• Psychology

• PermaCulture

an integral exploration

according to ...

As plant support- for human use -

attitude of 'mining' the soil (removing and replace nutrients in a repeated annual cycle)

'takers' have a dietary preference for annual plants - particularly cereals (addictive?)

also crops for animals (especially crazy in a sustainability level)

30

Considerations How much soil is left, what

type and what minerals have and lacks

whether it is flat or not, sunny or shade, if you have water, good access, climate, etc..

cost and legality of the land (private property or rent, security, markets, etc.).

profitability of the operation

M3.1 SOIL

• Geology & Ecology

• Agriculture

• Biology

• History & Culture

• Psychology

• PermaCulture

an integral exploration

according to ...

A healthy soil is a A healthy soil is a live weblive web

In each gram of In each gram of fertile soil there fertile soil there can be a billion can be a billion

micro-organismsmicro-organisms

The Soil Food Web

Edaphic Edaphic Biomass Biomass

of greatestof greatestimportanceimportance

the roots of plantsthe roots of plants

MacroorganismsMacroorganisms

BacteriaBacteria

FungiFungi

AlgaeAlgae

MicroorganismsMicroorganisms

MycorrizaMycorriza

Details on the functions of each in the Details on the functions of each in the e-Book www.PermaCultureScience.come-Book www.PermaCultureScience.com

Annelids, Arthropods, Molluscs

Lombricus terestris(Worms)

• Plants interchange gases between soil & the atmosphere

• Plants & in particular Trees create soils & protect them

• The Roots of Plants go breaking & fragmenting the Mother rock

• Roots open paths through which water & air will circulate later

• Leaves & Fruit that falls + the deposits of animals who come to feed off them are Organic Matter which is added to the soil

• A Soil covered with vegetation is more protected from external erosive agents

Plants & the SoilPlants & the Soil

Marsh plants showcase their hold in the soil on the banks of Boat Meadow Bay in Eastham, Massachusetts. by Mary Schwalm

41

some plants specialize in braking rock

InterdependanceThe Soil is part of the

Digestive System of Plants

Plants are the aerial part of soil

Everything affects everything

Two bugs better than one

Effects of bacteria & bacteria-eating nematodes on the growth of blue grama grass growth

Weed biomasain 77 days

•Are Fungi associated by symbiosis to the Roots of Plants

•These obtain Hydrocarbons & a protected place to live

• in exchange they provide the Plant with a better capacity for absorbtion of Water & Nutrients

• Increase Resistence of the Plant to ...

• pathogens, draught, acid soils

• In some Leguminous plants can increase efficiency of biological fixing of Nitrogen

MycorrizaMycorriza

Actions that destroyMycorriza:

1) dig the soil

2) adding nitrogen

Studies of organic growing with & without mycorrizamore micro-nutrients in those

with mycorriza

Mycorrhizal Fungi

polysaccharides secreted by the plant and fungi bind sand to the root

Endophytes (similar to mycorrhizae)

WormsWorms•• Eat dead vegetable matter which Eat dead vegetable matter which

they degrade into simpler compounds they degrade into simpler compounds > biochemical transformation> biochemical transformation

• • In one He there can be 500 Kg to 2 In one He there can be 500 Kg to 2 Tn of wormsTn of worms

• • There are some 220 different speciesThere are some 220 different species• • They have an effect of activation on They have an effect of activation on

the bacterian metabolismthe bacterian metabolism• • They increase the contribution of They increase the contribution of

Organic Matter Organic Matter • • Diminish with the adding of Diminish with the adding of

AgrochemicalsAgrochemicals

MetabolicMetabolicFunctionFunction

MechanicalMechanicalFunctionFunction

BioDegradationBioDegradation AerationAeration Stimulating Bacterial Stimulating Bacterial ActivityActivity

BiologicalBiologicalFunctionFunction

They take Organic Matterdown into the soil

Reproduction

Increase their food- increase the population

Collect ALL type of biomass & add as mulch to

the soil

& in the DestructoCulture ...

... biomass is thrown in the dump

Worms work at night ...

With Lumbricus terrestrisWithout Lumbricus terrestris

5533

in one hectare there can be as many bacteria = to the weight of one or two cows

& in the forest each of your steps is supported by 120,000 bug legs

Thank them!!

& all keep you alive

M3.1 SOIL

• Geology & Ecology

• Agriculture

• Biology

• History & Culture

• Psychology

• PermaCulture

an integral exploration

according to ...

“the cradle of civilization”

The sumerian civilization, that

rose in the region

approximately in the year 3250

a.C., built a canal system & the

first cities in the world

The half-moon of fertile soil of Mesopotamia

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UnsustainableDevelopment

degraded habitat

"the footprint of civilization are deserts"

"Man .. despite his artistic pretensions & many accomplishments, owes his existence to a thin layer of topsoil ... and the fact that it rains."

agriculture, across the ages hasMINED millenial soils created by forests & grasslands (perennial polycultures)

2,011 d.c.

3,000,000 a.c.

Leavers & Takers (Ismael by Daniel Quinn)

8,000a.c.

Takers

See Class M 1.10

Leavers

eat directly from theperennial polycultures of theirregion (they adapt to 'what there is')

destroy perennial polycultures & replace them by agriculture based in annuals (they eat what 'they like')

perennial polycultures > CREATE soils

Abelhunter gatherer

Cainfarmer

agriculture > CONSUMES soils

The Tree of Good & Evil

"if you eat of this tree you will surely

die"

Eva

= Life

the knowledge of

only the Gods can

eat the fruit of wisdom

... & for it to work

for knowing who shall

live & who shall

die

The Tree of Good & Evil

The Tree of Life

the Law of Life(that fosters biodiversity)

a small branch

is the Law which

permitted us to evolve (as

human beings)

The Tree of Life

& it's the Law we are violating with our way of living(being, thinking..)

& this is the essence of our self-destruction, if we don't change direction DRASTICALLY

The Tree of Life

M3.1 SOIL

• Geology & Ecology

• Agriculture

• Biology

• History & Culture

• Psychology

• PermaCulture

an integral exploration

according to ...

associations "soil"• often as something dirty: dust, dirt, infection (esp.

anglo)

• >> health impacted for NOT having contact with the soil

• "to keep feet on the ground" (1m of cement, in citiees)

• mental, spiritual & physical health - disconnections

• >> all is connected through soil, quite LITERALLY

• radiobiology (sense of place, terrestial magnetism, 'feel at home', migratory animals)

Leavers

Takers

CREATE & ACCEPTgive thanks

CONSUME & FORCEcomplain

Entitlement Pattern

Responsability Pattern

there is a GREATEMOTIONAL conflict

here<<< >>>

eat directly from theperennial polycultures of theirregion (they adapt to 'what there is')

destroy perennial polycultures & replace them by agriculture based in annuals (they eat what 'they like')

66

Explore under your feetExplore under your feet

what is difficult?<<< >>>

a support group

might surprise you

Practices"keep your feet on the ground"

history of the soil in your area

(create a children's story)

67

on which soil do you find yourself? & what does it

NEED from you?

what does it offer you without

forcing it?

"keep your feet on the ground"

M3.1 SOIL

• Geology & Ecology

• Agriculture

• Biology

• History & Culture

• Psychology

• PermaCulture

an integral exploration

according to ...

UnsustainableDevelopment

degraded habitat

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Regeneration of habitats

=SUSTAINABILITY

P E R M A C U L T U R E

¿Wich is YOURPath to create More soil?

Giles LemeauixMore than 75% of nutrients are accumulated in small branches

Elaine Ingham"Soil Food Web"Researh her job and CollectMULCH with passion!

Especially biomass that is being thrown away, burning,ignoring ...

M3.1 SOIL

• Geology & Ecology

• Agriculture

• Biology

• History & Culture

• Psychology

• PermaCulture

an integral exploration

according to ...

INTEGRATE

all aspects &

>> PRACTICE them!

RE-CREATE soils as if our

lives

depended on

it