CCA Ontario Soil & Water Quality Practice Exam

The excessive use of fertilizers can lead to nutrient depletion over time due to the imbalance it creates in the soil ecosystem. While fertilizers are intended to provide essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to enhance plant growth, their over-application can disrupt the natural nutrient cycling processes. When fertilizers are applied in large quantities, they can lead to an initial surge in nutrient availability, but over time, this can result in the leaching of essential nutrients from the soil or a reliance on synthetic inputs that diminishes the soil's natural fertility.

Additionally, the overuse of fertilizers may cause soil organisms and microbial communities to become imbalanced, as they may struggle to thrive under excessive nutrient conditions. This shift can hinder the natural processes that contribute to soil health, leading to a depletion of nutrients in the long term rather than enhancement. Thus, it is crucial to apply fertilizers in moderation and in a way that accounts for the existing soil health and nutrient status.

While improved soil structure and encouragement of beneficial microbes are generally outcomes associated with effective soil management, they are not directly linked to excessive fertilizer use. Similarly, while fertilizers can influence soil pH, the reduction in soil pH is not a direct or guaranteed outcome of their excessive use. The emphasis on careful and balanced