Crop Cover Impact on Blowing Snow

This series of images depict tilled & no-till crop fields, and the impact the land use has on snow movement across the landscape. The black soil clearly visible on the snow compared to the no till field can be used as an example of how cropping practices influence soil health/erosion, even outside the growing season. Capturing snow on the field versus being blown away can speed up or slow down run off and subsequent flooding impacts downstream and drifted in/overwhelmed road ditches can negatively impact wildlife ability to survive a snowy winter. 

• What is causing the snow to be black?

• What differences do you see between the two photos? 
• What forces cause the soil to move?
• What would be preventing the soil from moving?
• How do land use practices influence the water cycle? 
• How do land use practices contribute to soil stability or erosion? 
• How do land use practices impact wildlife habitat? 

Students could:

• Investigate the impact different cropping practices have on soil health and wildlife.
• Discuss how land use influences the water cycle.
• Use the ArcGIS Map Server to change to past decade aerial views going back to the 1930s, allowing students to explore how land use has changed.

• Iowa Watershed Approach: A website considering the future of water in Iowa.
• Iowa Geographic Map Server: ArcGIS web interface that allows users to change overlays. 
• Iowa PBS Market to Market | Nation's Farmers Continue Gradual Shift to No Till: Story and interviews with farmer examining the shift to no till farm practices.