2012 Essay Contest Finalist

Entry by Richard Yang

Working Together with Different Earth Scientists

The four key ingredients to life: land, water, air, and living organisms, work together in harmony to maintain balance in nature. This system is similar to the numerous hardworking geologists, hydrologists, atmospheric scientists, and biologists. Earth scientists collaborate in order to improve life and protect the environment; this is most notable in farming. There are several factors involved in farming, and it is up to earth scientists to determine those most compatible with the surrounding environment.

Geologists play a key role in farming. They are able to scout out the amount of arable land by researching soil composition. They measure the amount of nutrients in the soil and consider whether or not it is suitable for farming.

Hydrologists check the susceptibility of the land to flooding. Lands that are flooded continuously are enriched with nutrients in order to support healthier crops. By also checking the size of the river and charting flood patterns, they are able to provide a good indication of land fertility and ease of irrigation.

Atmospheric scientists monitor the area’s climate. Average temperatures determine overall crop productivity. By determining average rainfall, scientists can tell if the region has a suitable amount of precipitation to support crop growth. These data also serve as warnings before natural disaster strikes.

Biologists are able to measure the extent that farming would disturb natural habitats. Good soil practices, such as crop rotation and using buffer zones, are encouraged in order to preserve farmlands for the future. Pesticides and herbicides are replaced with natural alternatives so that they don’t pose a health threat.

Earth scientists cooperate through a web of colleagues, building upon what others have discovered and sharing results. They work together to advance our knowledge of how to increase productivity without compromising the well-being of the animals and world around us.

Works Cited:
“Defra.” Good Agricultural Practice, Nutrients and Fertilisers «. Defra, n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. http://www.defra.gov.uk/food-farm/land-manage/nutrients/.