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).