natural resources conservation service helping people help the land helping people understand soils...
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Natural ResourcesConservation Service
Helping People Help the Land
Helping People Helping People Understand SoilsUnderstand SoilsTen Key MessagesTen Key Messages
Soil is a Fundamental Part Soil is a Fundamental Part of the Ecosystemof the Ecosystem
The living systems occurring above and below the ground surface are determined by the properties of the soil. We often ignore the soil because it is hard to observe.
The Study of Soil (Pedology) The Study of Soil (Pedology) is a Unique Disciplineis a Unique Discipline
Soil—a natural body of solids, liquid, and gases,with either horizons, or layers or the ability tosupport rooted plants
Unique physical, chemical, and biological properties
colorcolortexturetexture
structurestructureconsistenceconsistence
rootsrootsporespores
other featuresother features
Soil Survey is a Soil Survey is a Scientifically-Based InventoryScientifically-Based Inventory
A soil survey includes maps, descriptions, properties, climate, and interpretations. There are about 3000 soil survey areas in the United States. These are excellent sources of information on this resource.
Soils Perform Several Vital FunctionsSoils Perform Several Vital FunctionsSustaining plant and Sustaining plant and animal life below and animal life below and above the surfaceabove the surface
Regulating and Regulating and partitioning water and partitioning water and
solute flowsolute flow
Filtering, buffering, Filtering, buffering, degrading, immobilizing, degrading, immobilizing, and detoxifyingand detoxifying
Storing and cycling Storing and cycling nutrientsnutrients
Providing support to Providing support to structuresstructures
Soils Are Variable But in Soils Are Variable But in Predictable LocationsPredictable Locations
There are 23,000 soil series in various combinations There are 23,000 soil series in various combinations with different slopes and surface textures.with different slopes and surface textures.
Soil Forming Factors:Soil Forming Factors:
Parent MaterialParent MaterialClimateClimate
Living OrganismsLiving OrganismsTopographyTopography
TimeTime
Scientific Names for Soils Should Be UsedScientific Names for Soils Should Be Used
• Like plants and animals, Like plants and animals, soils are classifiedsoils are classified• The The systemsystem is called is called Soil TaxonomySoil Taxonomy• The The highest levelhighest level is the is the soil ordersoil order (12) (12)• The The lowest levellowest level is the is the soil seriessoil series, often a place name, often a place name
Soil Studies Can Be IncorporatedSoil Studies Can Be IncorporatedInto Other StudiesInto Other Studies
ScienceScienceecology, biology, chemistryecology, biology, chemistry
Social StudiesSocial Studiesworld trade, land useworld trade, land use
MathematicsMathematicssoil loss over one hectaresoil loss over one hectare
HistoryHistorysettlement of the U.S., dust bowlsettlement of the U.S., dust bowl
ArtArtsoil crayons, acrylic paintssoil crayons, acrylic paints
Consider the Soil First to Minimize RiskConsider the Soil First to Minimize Risk
Soils Are AliveSoils Are AliveOrganism TypesOrganism Typesbacteriabacteriafungifungiprotozoaprotozoanematodesnematodesarthropodsarthropodsearthwormsearthworms
Roles & BenefitsRoles & Benefitsdecompositiondecompositionrelease nutrientsrelease nutrientscreate porescreate poresstabilize soilsstabilize soils
Soil Management Affects Soil PropertiesSoil Management Affects Soil PropertiesSoil QualitySoil Quality
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). 9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).