Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Vegetation
Another of our goals is to keep continual plant cover in the garden. This vastly improves
the ability of the soil to hold onto water. It slows down rainwater, giving the soil more time
to absorb it. Plant root systems open up channels in the soil that allow water to infiltrate
more easily and deeply. The plant canopy decreases evaporation.
Plants are often blamed for using too much water. Interestingly, in places where large
amounts of forest are being cut down, the rivers are drying up and the precipitation in the
region is often decreasing drastically. We actually need these plants and microorganisms all
to be happy and healthy in order to have a healthy water supply. A multilevel planting
made up of groundcovers, flowers, shrubs and trees may use more water, but it will also
improve soil conditions so the soil can hold more water.
