What are two benefits of maintaining soil cover and residue on rangeland soils?

• A. Increases erosion and dust
• B. No effect
• C. Increases crusting and compaction
• D. Reduces erosion and dust; enhances infiltration and soil temperature moderation

Answer: (D)

Keeping soil covered with residue shields the surface, which directly cuts down on both erosion and dust and supports better water entry and temperature control. When the ground is protected, raindrop impact is absorbed and soil aggregates stay intact, reducing splash and sheet erosion, while a surface layer of residue also suppresses wind-driven soil movement and dust. The mulch-like residue further slows evaporation and enhances infiltration, so more water soaks in instead of running off, and it moderates soil temperature by insulating the surface—cooling it in heat and warming it during cooler periods, which helps seedling establishment and microbial activity. So the two clear benefits are less erosion and dust, plus better infiltration and temperature moderation. The other options describe outcomes that don’t occur with soil cover, such as more erosion or no effect, or increased crusting and compaction, which protective cover helps to prevent.