describe one way that soil is used by humans bell work
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Describe one way that soil is used by humans
Bell Work
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Soil Purposes and Land Capability Classes
Soil Science and Management, Sixth Edition.Edward J. Plaster, Delmar Cengage Learning
Describe one way that soil is used by humans
Discussion
Soil use can be broken into two categories Agricultural Nonagricultural
Uses of Soil
Cropland Annual Crops Perennial Crops
Can be an erosion issue
Agricultural Uses - Cropland
Rangeland – Native grass and shrubs
Vast quantities needed for adequate grazing land
Management
Agricultural Uses - Grazing
Agroforestry (Silviculture) Least destructive to the soil, but there are still concerns What are these concerns?
Agricultural Uses - Forest
Huge trend, especially in urban centers
Small scale farms, in the middle of the city Highly Intensive Soil must be taken care of
Agricultural Uses – Urban Agriculture
Parks, Ball Fields, Golf Courses, etc Turfgrass Management
Natural Resources Hunting Fishing
Non-Agricultural Uses - Recreation
Soil must support whatever we put on it Leaning Tower of Pisa
Load-bearing Capacity Shrink-Swell Potential
Non-Agricultural Uses - Construction
Landfills Environmental issue
Soil used as a filter Leaching
Non-Agricultural Uses – Waste Disposal
24%
8%8
%3%
2%
27%
24%Rangeland PasturelandUrban Land Other LandConservation Reserve Land
Forestland
Cropland
Land Use in the USA – 2007, Soil Science and Management
There are 8 Land Capability Classes as set by the NRCS
I = least restricted VIII = most restricted
Land Capability Classes
Can be: Cropped Pastured Managed for Woodlands and
Wildlife Good water-holding capacity Relatively flat and well drained Best cropland
Class I
Gentle Slopes (2%-6%) Moderate erosion hazards Shallow topsoil Slightly poor drainage Suitable for all uses
Class II
Moderately steep slopes (6%-12%)
High erosion hazards Poor drainage Very Shallow Topsoil Unstable Structure Special conservation methods
are needed for growing crops
Class III
Row crops cannot be grown
Slopes (12%-18%) Cover crops are best Erosion controls MUST be practiced
Class IV
Unsuitable for cultivation Can be used for range, pastureland, woodlands, recreation
Limited by: flooding, rockiness, short growing season
Class V
Same as Class V Steep slope (18%-30%)
Class VI
Relatively unsuitable for production
Preserved only for recreation, wildlife or beauty
Examples: Sandy beaches, rock outcroppings, flooded river bottomsClass VII and Class
VIII
What are the five soil forming factors, excluding humans?
Exit Slip
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