Envirothon Soil Resource Materials 2004

2004 WEST VIRGINIA ENVIROTION SOIL OBJECTIVES Soils and Ecosystems: Understand the basic interrelationship between soil and the other components of an ecosystem Included: • Their place in major nutrient cycles • Their relationship to success ional stages • Soil-plant interactions-nutrient transfer, pH, decomposition/organic matter, erosion prevention, fertility/productivity, soil as a matrix/mechanical support • Soil-water interactions-filtration, eluviation/illuviation, holding capacity, erosion effects, wetlands, including definition of Hydric soils, water table, Aquifer recharge Soil Formation: Describe/Lists the processes necessary for soil formation (soil forming factors) Soil Composition: Categorize the major components of soil (air, water, minerals, and organic matter) • List and describe the soil Textural classes like loam or silt loam or particle size classes like sand, silt, and clay • Instruct in the use of the soil triangle Soil Properties: Define and provide application for major soil properties such as: • Color • Permeability • Consistence • Structure • pH Soil Profile: Illustrate, list characteristics of, and provide information to assist in differentiation of soil horizons Land Use Capability Classification System: Create a basic understanding of the operation of the system and instruct as to its application 7 Soil Survey: Describe the history, status, and current applications of the survey Create a familiarity with the soil survey document itself in order to allow effective use • Instill a basic working knowledge of the information it can and cannot provide • Build an ability to read and work with aerial photos and maps • Describe the Geographical database and illustrate its usage/application Vocabulary: Provide a succinct listing of applicable terminology used in soil science and agriculture Resource Concerns: Define the concerns and describe why it is a problem, how it can be identified, what causes it, and what can be done to alleviate it Concerns might include compaction, erosion, and sediment deposition Identification of specific best management practices appropriate to each concern 10 Soil Quality: Provide information and delineation on soil quality indicators such as aggregate stability, organic matter, crusts, and infiltration 11 Hands on Skills to be Mastered: • • • • • • • • Use of the “tools of the trade” – Clinometers, augers, color charts, test kits, and meters Familiarity with soil judging/soil pits Determination of soil texture by ribboning or use of particle screens Have a knowledge of what soil horizons are and be able to identify major horizons like A, B, C and R horizons Understand what soil structure is and know what the importance role soil structure plays in the dynamics of a natural soil Ability to quickly and effectively locate needed information in a soil survey report Basic ability to determine land use class Identification of wetland indicators ENVIROTHON SOIL RESOURCE MATERIALS The following Web sites contain various materials about our Natural Soil Resource Most of these sites are not specific to West Virginia or the Envirothon competition but general in nature, for specific information you will need to consult your local Soil Survey Report The Envirothon Soil Objective that each of these web sites have information about is listed at the end of each site name, some of the web sites will cover more than one Soil Objective We have only listed each web site one time, however one web site may have information about 80% of the Soil Objectives The objective of the Envirothon is to develop an appreciation and an understanding of our Soil as an important natural resource Basic Soil Information • S K Worm http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/education/squirm/skworm.html (1) • From the Surface Down ftp://ftpfc.sc.egov.usda.gov/NJ/technical_resources/soils/surfacedown.pdf • Manuals used for basic values in FFA & 4-H Landjudging competition (like soil depth, permeability, slope ranges, & land use capability classes) • WV Landjudging Manual (WVU) http://www.wvu.edu/ %7Eagexten/landrec/judging/index.html (4,6,11) • Oklahoma Landjudging Manual http://www.landjudging.com/a2001/table_of_contents.htm (4,6,11) Soil Quality • Soil Quality Information Sheets Soil Quality Information Sheets http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/soil_quality/what_is/sqiinfo.html (10) • Soil Biology Primer http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/soil_quality/soil_biology/soil_biology_primer.html (1,10) Wetlands (This section describes the properties of a wetlands and the difference between a hydric soils and a non-hydric soil) • Wetlands Delineation Manual http://www.wetlands.com/regs/tlpge02e.htm (11) • Field Indicators of Hydric Soils http://www.epa.gov/reg3esd1/hydricsoils/index.htm (11) • Wetland Science Institute http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/wli/wetdel.htm (8,11) • Hydric Soils of West Virginia by County**** Soil Survey Report (These sites talk about soil surveys their value, typical soil profiles and many of the words and meanings as used in Soil Science) • Soil Survey: Fact Sheet http://www.SWCS.ORG/t_resources_survey_fact.htm (7) • West Virginia State Soil http://www.wvapss.org/statesoil.html (5,7) • The Dirt on the Soil http://school.discovery.com/schooladventures/soil/index.html (1,8) • Soils (Education) http://soils.usda.gov/education/resources/ (2,7,8) • Soil Survey Reports can be picked up at your local NRCS ** (1,4,5,6,7,8) Soil Color Chart Double Click on How to Use the Munsell Color Chart Soil Properties and Demonstrations in Soil Science • West Texas A&M University (Demonstrations in Soil Science) http://www.wtamu.edu/~crobinson/DrDirt.htm (4,11) • Dr Soil http://ltpwww.gsfc.nasa.gov/globe/drsoil/drsoil.htm (1,2,3,11) • Soil Textural Flow Chart (11) • Soil Trunks are available at your local Conservation District Office*** (11) • Soil Formation and Classification • Urban Soils http://soils.usda.gov/use/urban/index.html • Urban Technical Notes – Note 1: Erosion and Sedimentation on Construction Sites Note 2: Urban Soil Compaction Note 3: Heavy metal Soil Contamination http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/soil_quality/land_management/urban.html (9) Environmental Concerns (These sites deal with Soils and problems that occur in the Environment, like point source and non-point source contaminates and erosion -• NRCS Brochure "Soil Erosion By Water" (9) • NRCS Brochure "Nutrient and Sediment Control System" (9) • Sample Test Questions * The information found in these web sites would help you appreciate the field of Soil Science and the complexity and the many interactions that occur in the soil We not expect you to understand all of the terms and procedures involved in the scientific study of our Soil We expect each team to have a basic understanding of Soil Science and be able to apply this understanding in some basic field exercises We also expect each team to understand the role of the Soil in the Ecosystem and how we depend on Soil in our Environment During the contest we will supply each team with resource material to use during the contest, like a copy of the Soil Survey Report, maybe a pH kit or Munsell soil color book, tape measure, water bottle, various charts or tables to help you answer certain questions ** Most Teams already have a copy of the Lewis County Soil Survey Report, if not you should request a copy *** The Envirothon Soil Trunks are available at your local Conservation District Office The Trunks contain educational materials and various tools like Munsell Soil Color Chart that will help your team prepare for the contest The Soil Trunks can be checked out for up to days for your use in preparing for the contest Each Soil Trunk has a 2002 WV Envirothon Video, pH Test Kit, Soil Survey Reports for the Conservation District, Sand Grain sizing folder, MC-2D Navigator (can be used to measure slope), Munsell Soil Color Charts, 36" Soil Tube, Pocket Magnifier and Soils Resource Study Packet HYDRIC SOILS OF WEST VIRGINIA BY COUNTY**** BARBOUR (WV001) Map Unit Symbol Component Name At BrB BsB Ma Atkins Brinkerton Brinkerton Melvin BERKELEY (WV003) At Dz Fa Atkins Dunning Fairplay CABELL (WV011) Cm Me Melvin Melvin DODDRIDGE (WV017) Me Melvin GREENBRIER (WV025) AnB AnB At Ay Pu Andover Nolo Atkins Atkins Purdy JEFFERSON (WV037) Me Melvin KANAWHA (WV039) FL Fluvaquents LEWIS (WV041) Lh Holly LINCOLN (WV043) 14 13 Holly Nolin MARSHALL (WV051) Mb Ra Melvin Robertsville MONROE (WV063) At Mb Ro Atkins Melvin Robertsville NICHOLAS (WV067) Ed Ep Pu Elkins Elkins Purdy PENDLETON (WV071) Du Pu TrC TsC Dunning Purdy Trussel Trussel POCAHONTAS (WV075) At Ho Mh Pu TrC Uf Atkins Holly Medihemists Purdy Trussel Fluvaquents PRESTON (WV077) Aa Ab Bk Bm Bn Ea La Lb Mc Atkins Atkins Brinkerton Brinkerton Brinkerton Elkins Lickdale Lickdale Melvin PUTNAM (WV079) Me Mf Melvin Melvin RITCHIE (WV085) Me Melvin UPSHUR (WV097) Oh Holly WAYNE (WV099) Me Melvin WEBSTER (WV101) At Ek Atkins Elkins WYOMING (WV109) Ho Holly JACKSON AND MASON (WV600) ChA GsA MeA MfA PuA Ginat Ginal Melvin Melvin Purdy WOOD AND WIRT (WV601) Gn Ml Ginat Melvin TUCKER AND NORTHERN RANDOLPH (WV602) At Bo Bp BrA BrB BrC BsC BsC LdA LsA NoA NoB Pu Vb Vb Atkins Blago Blago Brinkerton Brinkerton Brinkerton Brinkerton Nolo Lickdale Lickdale Nolo Nolo Purdy Brinkerton Lickdale TUCKER AND NORTHERN RANDOLPH (WV602) CONTINUED VwB Nolo RANDOLPH, MAIN PART (WV603) At Bo Pn Py Atkins Blago Atkins Purdy BROOKE, HANCOCK, AND OHIO (WV604) At Du Atkins Dunning FAYETTE AND RALEIGH (WV605) At Br Lc Atkins Brinkerton Lickdale HAMPSHIRE, MINERAL AND MORGAN (WV607) ArB ArB At Ay BsB Du FA Me Pu Andover Brinkerton Atkins Atkins Brinkerton Dunning Fluvaquents Melvin Purdy HARRISON AND TAYLOR (WV610) At Me Atkins Melvin MARION AND MONONGALIA (WV611) Ho Holly PLEASANTS AND TYLER (WV612) Me Melvin MERCER AND SUMMERS (WV613) At Atkins CALHOUN AND ROANE (WV624) Sm Melvin GRANT AND HARDY (WV628) Du Lm Me Pu Dunning Lickdale Melvin Purdy * WV ENVIROTHON - SOILS TEST (Examples of Test Questions) (The test usually has 25 Questions worth points each) LANDSCAPE What is this Landscape Position (4 points) a Old Alluvial Stream Terrace b Floodplain SOIL PROFILE FEATURES What best describes the Top Soil Structure (Soil Peds) (4 points) a Platy (in plate like layers) b Granular (rounded with slightly curved surfaces) c Blocky either angular or subangular (ped faces flattened breaking on right or nearly right angles) What kind of Parent Material did this soil develop from (4 points)? a Alluvial Sediments b Glacial Till or outwash c Residuum – weathered bedrock d Colluvial Sediments What is the pH of the Subsoil at a depth of 30 inches (closest range using the field pH kit) (4 points) a 4.0 to 5.0 pH b 5.1 to 6.0 pH c 6.1 to 7.0 pH a 7.1 to 8.0 pH What is the Soil Drainage Class (Depth to Gray Mottles) (4 points) a Well Drained (no mottles above 36 inches) b Moderately Well Drained (no mottles or redoximorphic features above 16 inches) c Somewhat Poorly Drained (no mottles or redoximorphic features above inches) d Poorly Drained (mottles or redoximorphic features in topsoil or surface inches) GENERAL SOILS What is the Soil Texture of the unknown Soil -A (Use the Flow diagram for estimating soil texture by feel and if needed use the Texture Classification Triangle Chart) (4 points) a Silt Loam b Sand c Clay d Sandy Loam What is the major cause of the Sheet and/or Rill Erosion in West Virginia (4 points) a Wind b Water c Ground Hogs d Colluvium LEWIS COUNTY SOIL SURVEY REPORT Which of these soils/map unit have an occasional Flood Hazard (check tables) (4 points) a Chagrin (Cn) b Hackers (Ha) c Monongahela (MoB) d Bethesda (BrE) If you were going to build a house\dwelling without a basement, which of these soil map units would have the least limitations? (4 points) a MoB b Po c VaD d GDF ... indicators ENVIROTHON SOIL RESOURCE MATERIALS The following Web sites contain various materials about our Natural Soil Resource Most of these sites are not specific to West Virginia or the Envirothon. .. (4,6,11) Soil Quality • Soil Quality Information Sheets Soil Quality Information Sheets http://soils.usda.gov/sqi /soil_ quality/what_is/sqiinfo.html (10) • Soil Biology Primer http://soils.usda.gov/sqi /soil_ quality /soil_ biology /soil_ biology_primer.html... Soil http://www.wvapss.org/statesoil.html (5,7) • The Dirt on the Soil http://school.discovery.com/schooladventures /soil/ index.html (1,8) • Soils (Education) http://soils.usda.gov/education/resources/