Unit 15: Soil and Water Conservation

Water Water is called the universal solvent because as a material it dissolves or otherwise changes most other materials Is colorless Most of the earth’s surface is covered with 75 % water

Capillary Water Is a form of groundwater that is available for plant absorption through the root system

Gravitational water Free water (gravitational water) that drains out of a soil after it has been wetted.

Permeability The rate of movement of water and air through the soil

Water content 25 percent is an ideal soil water content for a soil.

Water Cycle Is the cycling of water between water sources, the atmosphere, and surface areas of the earth

Evaporation The process of changing from a solid to a liquid to a vapor or gas

Precipitation Is the formation of rain and snow Is important in the water cycle because it releases moisture in the form of rain or snow Is the removal of all foreign material from water

Purification Is the removal of foreign material from water

Water Table Is the level below the earth surface where the soil is saturated or filled with water

Potable water Is a term use in describing drinking water that is free from harmful organisms or chemicals

Saturation Is when soil spaces or pores are filled with water Often occurs after a short period of heavy rain, which causes the soil spaces to become filled with water Example of saturation: Is when two or more inches of rainfall is received in a relatively short period of time (perhaps three hours), the soil will become saturated with water

Pollution of Groundwater Can result from the failure to properly dispose of household chemicals

Growing Trees along rivers, lakes, and ponds can help improve water quality.

Chemical Runoff Humans can affect water quality by controlling chemical runoff

Livestock Waste In order to improve water quality, livestock waste must be properly dispose on the farm

Cover Crop Is method of conservation used to temporarily protect soil from erosion Involves using a intermediate tillage system between conventional and no-till

Strip Cropping Is a type of farming that involves alternating closely grown crops with row crops to capture runoff water

Soil profile Is a vertical cut in the earth’s surface and consist of the “A”, “B”, and “C” horizons

“A” horizon (top soil) Is the first layer of a nonforest soil profile Is the surface layer (top six inches) for judging purposes Usually contains more organic matter and is somewhat darker in color

B horizon (subsoil) Subsurface layer of the soil profile for judging purposes Most subsoil has an increase clay content

C horizon (Parent material) Consist of parent material to include bedrock

Soil Texture Refers to the size of soil particles Is influenced by organic matter in the soil Includes sandy, loamy or clayey

Sandy Texture Is common in soils with single-grained structure

Clay The smallest soil particle

Sand Is the largest soil particle in a soil Sandy soils have the largest soil particles Sandy soils have problems holding enough water or moisture for good plant growth Individual particles can be seen with the naked eye

Structure Is defined as the tendency of soil particles to cluster together and function as soil units or aggregates

SCS Land Classification Maps Indicate the: SCS stands for the Soil Conservation Service Capability class Capability subclass Capability units

Classes I, II, III, IV These land classes are suitable for field crop production

Classes V, VI, VII, VIII These land classes are suitable for grazing or pasture

Pasture or grazing The most intensive recommended use of land with a 15-25% slope is pasture or grazing of cattle, sheep, and goats

Bulldozing Is a way in which humans affect or change the soil formation of land

Pores Are the spaces between soil particles that permit root penetration, storage of air, water, and nutrients for plants

Cover Crops Rye, Oats, Fescue are cover crops use to temporary prevent soil erosion doing the winter months

Soil Tube Is a tool used for obtaining soil samples for testing

Soil Auger Used for boring into soil to get samples

pH Test Is a test use to determine the degree of acidity or alkalinity of the soil

Lime Is an amendment that is incorporated into the soil to raise the soil pH level. Lime increases availability of nutrients. Example: If the soil pH is 5.5, lime may be added to raise soil pH to a more acceptable level of 7.0.

Sulfur Is an amendment that is incorporated into the soil to lower the pH level

Common Mulches include Pine bark, pine straw, wood chips and leaf mold that are used to: Suppress weeds Retain moisture in the soil, and Beautify the landscape

Overgrazing By livestock causes damage to plants and soil due to the animals eating too much of the plants at one time

Renewable Natural Resources Management Fish Water Wetlands Wildlife animals and plants

Natural Resources Careers in natural resources are attractive to those who enjoy working outdoors

Soil thermometer A soil thermometer is used to measure soil temperature

Water and Soil Management Specialists Soil and water management specialists are in great demand on the global scene

Clayey soils Can hold lots of water but may be airtight, infertile for root growth, and are associated with wet soils

Sandy soils Sand is the largest soil particle in soil Sandy soils have the largest soil particles Sandy soils have problems holding enough water or moisture for good plant growth Individual particles can be seen with the naked eye

Silt are intermediate soil particles and cannot be seen with the naked eye

Soil structure Refers to the way soil particles cling together to form soil units or aggregates while leaving pore spaces in the soil to store air, nutrients, and allow the plants roots to penetration through the soil

Single grain Single grain soil structure is associated with sandy soils

Granular structure Granular soil structures consist of soil particles that cling together to form rounded aggregates and are very desirable for all soil uses

Blocky structure Blocky soil structures consist of soil particles that cling together in angular aggregates and these soils have a high clay content

Land capability classes Are designated by Roman numerals I through VIII

Land capability maps Are maps that are based on the physical, chemical, and topographical aspects of the land

Class I and II soils or land Are the best soils or land for the most intensive cultivation of field crops with the fewest limitations and can be planted year after year

Class VII land Is very steeply sloping and best used for growing trees

Class VIII soil or land Is best suited for wildlife and recreation

Types of soil erosion Include sheet and gully erosion cause by water runoff from heavy rains

No till cropping technique Is the use of no till cropping systems to reduce soil erosion The “no till cropping” technique involves planting crops directed into the residue of the previous crop without plowing or disking

Conventional tillage Uses a tillage system that disturbs the soil surface by plowing, disking, and/or harrowing the agricultural fields

Conservation tillage Involves using a intermediate tillage system that is between conventional and no-till.

Fertilizer Is a amendment apply to soil to add nutrients to the soil for plant growth

Wildlife biologist Is a person who studies wildlife and will have a career in natural resources

Soil Scientist An individual who classifies soil according to the most appropriate use for farming The minimum educational requirements to become a soil scientist is a bachelor’s degree.

Groundwater Geologist Is an example of a career in renewable natural resources, this person studies underground water and its affect on the enviroment

Soil conservationist Required a bachelor’s degree (four year degree) in soil science Assist landowners in implementing best land use practices

Soil technician Is a individual who uses the soil auger or soil tube to take soil samples, do field work and normally works under a soil conservationist

Wildlife technician Works in the field environment --tagging animals and gathering data

Wildlife biologist Required a bachelor’s degree (four year degree) Does research on wildlife, their habitats and as part of a career in natural resources

Soil and Water Conservation