Incorporation of a new horizon soil health assessment - Feisthauer

71st SWCS International Annual Conference, Louisville, July 24-27, 2016

Incorporation of a new A horizon‘soil fingerprinting’ framework into

soil health assessments

N. Feisthauer1, C.A. Fox1, G. Broll2, C. Tarnocai1, E. Kenney1, D. Kroetsch1 and M. Joschko3

1Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 2University of Osnabrück, 3 Leibniz-Zentrum für Agrarlandschaftsforschung

Soil Health

Healthy soil is fundamental to:

• Diverse soil biological community

• Optimal soil function

• Provision of services (i.e., growing crops!)

betterground.org

Soil Quality/Health

vro.depi.vic.gov.aubetterground.org

How do we measure soil health?Chemistry

• Organic carbon, pH, CEC, nutrients, etc.

Function

• Nutrient/carbon cycling

Ecotoxicity

• Toxicity to earthworms, plants, arthropods, microbes

Ecology

• Plant, invertebrate and microbial populations

Physical components

• Texture, bulk density, % moisture, water holding capacity, structure

Soil Structure = Soil Architecture

• Physical habitat for soil organisms

• Structure for air circulation

• Soil moisture retention/release

• Key dynamic soil characteristic

• Sensitive to management practices/soil remediation

• Indicator for soil quality

How to simply and consistently describe characteristics related to soil health?

We often have to consider:

• Multiple lines of evidence (yield, chemistry, etc.)

• Qualitative and quantitative data

• Contextual information

– Soil/landscape/ecozone context

Soil taxonomy has limited descriptive capacity, e.g.,

• Soil A horizon (topsoil) restricted to Ap, Ae, A1, etc.

Soil ‘fingerprint’ Framework

• AAFC has developed an enhanced soil A horizon descriptor methodology to systematically track and record change in soil physical, chemical and biological characteristics

• Using syntax and symbology rulesets, the characteristics of a soil sample are described in a single line of code that is unique to that soil sample at the time it was collected

• Analogous to a ‘fingerprint’ of that sample

Soil ‘fingerprint’ Framework

• The current framework includes 5 levels of information with specific syntax for writing the soil fingerprint: 1. Soil process, parent materials and mode of deposition

2. Soil structure attributes* and bulk density*

3. Percentage organic carbon*

4. pH* / electrical conductivity*

5. Soil and landscape context.

• Can generate simple or detailed fingerprints

*West et al. (2010)

Environment

Prefixes

Soil Process

Suffixes

Soil

Structure;

Bulk Density

Organic

Carbon

pH/Electrical

Conductivity

Soil/Land Context

Information

Level 1-p A Level 1-s [Level 2] (Level 3) {Level 4}Level 5:

A, B,C, D

Unique Soil Fingerprint Code: Enhanced A Horizon Designation Syntax

Level 1-p A Level 1-s # [Level 2] Level 5A (Level 3) {Level 4};Level 5B/Level 5C/Level 5D

Required Any of Designator Levels 1-p and 2 to 5 can be added +

Basic A Horizon ‘Fingerprint’ Framework

Level 1 Soil Process Designators

1-p Prefix and 1-s Suffix

Syntax:

1-p A 1-s # i.e., fAh2

Start with Level 1.

Include Level 1-s, lowercase suffixes on soil processes.

Level 1-p prefixes (optional) describe environment, mode of deposition.

Use number for distinguishing same A horizon with depth,

i.e., Ap1, Ap2

Add additional Levels of Information as needed.

Soil Fingerprint Code Syntax:

Level 1-p A Level 1-s #

mAp2



Syntax:

1-p A 1-s # i.e., fAh2

Level 2

[Soil Structure; Bulk Density]

Start with Level 1.

Include Level 1-s, lowercase suffixes on soil processes.



i.e., Ap1, Ap2


Soil Structure Character

Level 2-a Type

Level 2-b Size Class

Level 2-c Kind of Arrangement

Level 2-d % Type Occurrence

Level 2-e Consistency-Stability

Level 2-f Bulk Density (BD)

Syntax: Use square brackets [ Level 2 ].

Structure Code sequence is:

[ 2-d 2-b. 2-a 2-e]

If more than one structure type, separate

according to kind of arrangement 2-c.

Up to 4 structure types can be recorded.

Include (optional) Bulk Density range class

(FAO 2006) and/or actual BD analyses.

[Structure Codes; BD estimate/BD value]


Level 1-p A Level 1-s # [Level 2]

mAp2[70m.sbk2+30vf.gr1;BD2/1.3]



Syntax:

1-p A 1-s # i.e., fAh2

Level 2


Level 3

(% Organic Carbon)

Start with Level 1. Include Level 1-s, lowercase suffixes on soil processes.



i.e., Ap1, Ap2



Level 2-a Type






Round brackets.

Separate range class

from actual data using

semi-colon,

i.e., (code;value)

Maintain syntax to

show missing data i.e., Ap(lw;1.3)

Ap(lw;)

Ap(;1.3)Syntax: Use square brackets [ Level 2 ].


[ 2-d 2-b. 2-a 2-e]








Level 1-p A Level 1-s # [Level 2] (Level 3)

mAp2[70m.sbk2+30vf.gr1;BD2/1.3] (m;2.1)



Syntax:

1-p A 1-s # i.e., fAh2

Level 2


Level 3

(% Organic Carbon)

Level 4

{pH/EC}




i.e., Ap1, Ap2



Level 2-a Type






Round brackets.



semi-colon,

i.e., (code;value)

Maintain syntax to


Ap(lw;)

Ap(;1.3)

Curly brackets

Slash to separate pH

information from EC

Use semi-colon to

separate range code

from actual value

Maintain syntax with

missing datai.e., Ap{wa;6.2/N;1.2}

Ap{wa;/N;}Syntax: Use square brackets [ Level 2 ].


[ 2-d 2-b. 2-a 2-e]








Level 1-p A Level 1-s # [Level 2] (Level 3) {Level 4}

mAp2[70m.sbk2+30vf.gr1;BD2/1.3] (m;2.1){wa;6.2/N;1.1}



Syntax:

1-p A 1-s # i.e., fAh2

Level 2


Level 3

(% Organic Carbon)

Level 4

{pH/EC}




i.e., Ap1, Ap2



Level 2-a Type






Round brackets.



semi-colon,

i.e., (code;value)

Maintain syntax to


Ap(lw;)

Ap(;1.3)

Curly brackets

Slash to separate pH

information from EC

Use semi-colon to

separate range code

from actual value

Maintain syntax with

missing datai.e., Ap{wa;6.2/N;1.2}

Ap{wa;/N;}Syntax: Use square brackets [ Level 2 ].


[ 2-d 2-b. 2-a 2-e]







Level 5: Soil/Land Context

A: Soil Texture

B: Soil Surface Conditions

C: Current Land Use

D: Slope Character


Level 1-p A Level 1-s #[Level 2] Level 5A (Level 3) {Level 4};Level 5B/5C/5D

mAp2[70m.sbk2+30vf.gr1;BD2/1.3]SiCL(m;2.1){wa;6.2/N;1.1};R;WT/aC/sMS3

Electronic Field Form with Soil Fingerprint Codes © Fox, C., Tarnocai, C., Broll, G., Joschko, M., Kroetsch, D. and Kenney, E. 2014. Enhanced A Horizon Framework and Field Form for

detailed field scale monitoring of dynamic soil properties. Canadian Journal Soil Science 94: May Issue

Date: Name: Site Location:

GPS CoordinatesField Field Field Level 5-A Level 5-C

Ref. Latitude Longitude Site Plot Repl. A A Hor. Mod. Mod. Mod. Soil % Org. Carbon Land Kind of Slope Gradient

No. Datum: NAD83 Upper Lower 1st 2nd 3rd Hor 1st 2nd 3rd 4th No. % Class Type Cons. Symb. % Class Type Cons. Symb. % Class Type Cons. Symb. % Class Type Cons. Est. Lab An. Texture Est. Lab An. Est. Lab An. Est. Lab An. 1 2 Use Slope Position %

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

Notes: Notes*********** Note: Before moving Soil Fingerprint Codes to new worksheet, or other application: Copy, Paste Special, then highlight Values to remove background cell formula.

Field Plot Repl.

Site

Upper Lower

Level 5-D Slope Character

(cm) Environment Prefixes Process Suffixes Structure 1 Stucture 2 Structure 3 Structure 4 Bulk Density pH in CaCl 2

Depth Level 1 : Horizon Designators [Level 2 ] Soil Structure Characterization (up to maximum of 4 types) and Bulk Density (Level 3) {Level 4} Level 5-B

EC Salinity Surface Cond.

Depth (cm)Ref. No. Soil Fingerprint Code: Enhanced Detail Mode: All levels and Options Ref. No. Soil Fingerprint Code: Minimum Detail: Dynamic Soil Properties

A [ ;/] (;) {;/;};;// A [ ;] ( ) {/}

A [ ;/] (;) {;/;};;// A [ ;] ( ) {/}

A [ ;/] (;) {;/;};;// A [ ;] ( ) {/}

A [ ;/] (;) {;/;};;// A [ ;] ( ) {/}

A [ ;/] (;) {;/;};;// A [ ;] ( ) {/}

A [ ;/] (;) {;/;};;// A [ ;] ( ) {/}

A [ ;/] (;) {;/;};;// A [ ;] ( ) {/}

A [ ;/] (;) {;/;};;// A [ ;] ( ) {/}

A [ ;/] (;) {;/;};;// A [ ;] ( ) {/}

A [ ;/] (;) {;/;};;// A [ ;] ( ) {/}

A [ ;/] (;) {;/;};;// A [ ;] ( ) {/}

A [ ;/] (;) {;/;};;// A [ ;] ( ) {/}

Name: Site Location:

Mod. Mod. Mod.

% Class Type Cons. Symb. % Class Type Cons. Symb. % Class Type Cons. Symb. % Class Type Cons. Est. Lab An.

c. sbk 1 + m. pt 1 BD2 1.22

mc. sbk 2 + mc. gr 2 BD2 1.36

mc. sbk 2 + m. gr 2 BD3 1.40

mc. abk 2 + m. gr 2 BD2 1.20

Gobles Soil (GO)C. Fox

Structure 1 Stucture 2 Structure 3 Structure 4 Bulk Density

[Level 2 ] Soil Structure Characterization (up to maximum of 4 types) and Bulk Density

Structure Type Code

Structureless

1. massive/amorphous m

2. single grain sg

3. layered (sediments) sd

Platy pt

Lenticular nt

Wedge w

Prismatic pr

Columnar cpr

Blocky

1. Blocky bk

2. Angular blocky abk

3. Subangular blocky sbk

4. Polyhedral py

Granular gr

Very porous peds pc

Cast (i.e. biota) ct

Mechanically Formed

1. Cloddy cd

2. Lumpy lu

3. Crumbly cr

Structure Types were adopted and based on various

soil field description systems. Canadian (Expert

Committee on Soil Survey, 1983); Australian,

National Committee on Soil and Terrain (MacDonald

and Isbell, 2009); New Zealand Soil Bureau (Taylor

and Pohlen, 1970); USDA-NRCS (Schoeneberger et

Field Plot Repl.Site

Upper Lower

Bayham EAWD006 Soy 0 20

S.Dorch. LWSD029 Soy 0 13

Norfolk 1402 Rd. Cut 0 9

Delhi 565 Pasture 0 32

Depth (cm)Ref. No. Soil Fingerprint Code: Enhanced Detail Mode: All levels and Options

1 mtX1Ap [c.sbk1 +m.pt1;BD2/1.22] SiCL (m;2.32) {ma;6/N;0.2};;/aC/c2

2 mtAp [mc.sbk2 +mc.gr2;BD2/1.36] SiL (m;1.86) {n;7.1/N;0.3};;/aC/c3

4 mtX1Ap [mc.abk2 +m.gr2;BD2/1.2] L (h;3.65) {n;7.3/N;0.1};;/aG/5

A [ ;/] (;) {;/;};;//

A [ ;/] (;) {;/;};;//

3 mtX1Ap [mc.sbk2 +m.gr2;BD3/1.4] L (m;1.97) {n;7.1/N;0.2};;/sRc/4

Ref.

No.Soil Fingerprint Code: Minimum Detail: Dynamic Soil Properties

1 Ap [sbk +pt;BD2] (m ) {ma/N}

2 Ap [sbk +gr;BD2] (m ) {n/N}

3 Ap [sbk +gr;BD3] (m ) {n/N}

4 Ap [abk +gr;BD2] (h ) {n/N}

A [ ;] ( ) {/}

A [ ;] ( ) {/}

Integration of information

An Ap horizon with morainal deposition with coarse subangularblocky structure with a bulk density estimate of 1.2 -1.4 and a measured value of 1.3 Mg m-3; it is a heavy clay soil with an estimated medium level of organic carbon and a measured value of 2.1%. It is weakly acidic with a pH range of 6.1-6.5 and a measured value of 6.2 and is considered non-saline with a measured conductivity value of 1.2 dS/m. It has been recently cultivated and subjected to wheel traffic from its agricultural land use cultivating cereal crops on a simple 3% slope at the toe-slope position.



mAp[c.sbk;BD2/1.3]HC(m;2.1){wa;6.2/N;1.2};R;WT/aC/sTS3

=



mAp[c.sbk;BD2/1.3]HC(m;2.1){wa;6.2/N;1.2};R;WT/aC/sTS3

=

Key Design Components

• Designed to be complementarily used with all international soil classification systems



• Database of fingerprints can be statistically compared over time/among locations



• Database of fingerprints can be statistically compared over time/among locations

• Flexible and modular:

– User can add or remove any level to customize fingerprints to record data that meets study objectives/required level of detail

Crop type, yield, rotation; tillage; pesticide use, etc.Level 6: Cropland © Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Reference

Field Site Plot Repl. No.Depth (cm) Level 6: Cropland

Number Tillage Crop Cropping Current Yield

Identifier Upper Lower System System Method Crop Est.

Tillage System

CN Conventional (moldboard plow)CV Conservation (Minimum tillage, disk)NT No-tillZT Zone tillRT Ridge tillageCH Chisel plowRD Reduced tillage (shallower plow depth)SF Summer Fallow

Cropping Method

Ym Monocropping2Y 2-year rotation3Y 3-year rotation4Y 4-year rotation

Current Crop

W Wheat R Rye Ps Pasture Cl CloverS Soybeans sB Sugar beets V GrapesCf Field Corn Hp Peppers Bk BuckwheatT Tomatoes Oa Apples Sp Specialty cropP Potatoes Op Peaches Bn Beans - PulsesAf Alfalfa Oc Cherries Fx FlaxB Barley Ops Pears M MustardCn Canola Hr Raspberries Sn SunflowerO Oats Hs Strawberries Tb TobaccoCs Sweet Corn Rp Rapeseed N Nursery

Crop System

c conventionalor organicipm integrated managementin industrial (biofuels)

Yield Estimate

xh Extremely Highh Highav Averagelw Lowxl Extremely Low

Comparison Study (since 1959): Different Crop Rotations on Same Soil Type

Conventional Tillage; silty clay loam; Humic Gleysol (Woodslee, Ontario, Canada)

Ahp[fm.gr+pc/fm.sbk;BD1](6.0) Apfn[bk-sbk+py+gr;BD2](2.8) Apg[cd-sbk;BD3](2.3)

C.A. Fox, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Podzol

Coniferous

Forest (Ae)

Deciduous forest

(Ahe)

Sandy clay loamBraunerde

Field crops,

(triticale,

rape)

Sandy loam

Gley

Long-term

grassland

(loam);

field crops,

with seepage

Sandy Loam

Braunerde

Field crops;

triticale,

corn (2 yrs)

Sandy

Loam

Deciduous

Forest

Clay

Ae[sg]SCL(vh;6.78){xa;2.9}

Aph[cd-sbk]SL(lw;1.26){sa;5.1}

Field

crops

Sandy

Loam

Rendzina

Agph[sbk-pc]SL(m;2.82){ma;5.6}

Ap[cd-sbk-pc]SL(lw;1.31){xa;4.5}

Aph[gr]SL(m;2.12){n;6.8}

Ah[sbk-gr]C(vh;6.12){ma;5.8}

CATENA STUDY: Osnabrück, Germany

Ahe[sbk-pc]SCL(vh;5.59){xa;3.1}

Ahgp[cd-sbk-gr]L(vh;5.48){n;7.0}

G. Broll, Universität Osnabrück

• Development of guidance materials for use with a focus on:

– Soil structure

– Use by non-soilscientists

– Interpretation of fingerprint changes

• Additional fingerprint levels for different end uses

Next Steps

INTERPRETATION for crop growth potential particularly root growth/penetration into soilDraft Ideas for Scoring dynamic soil properties for interpreting state of soil quality for crop growth - Catherine Fox (AAFC)

Structure type (random together)* m cd sg w & pt abk sbk, py, pr gr pc

Assigned Rating from 1-10 1 2 3 4 6 8 10 10

% observation

Rating (Rating x % Obs.) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

* See below for Structure Breaking To

Organic carbon <0.5 0.5 to <1.5 1.5 to <3 3 to <5 5 to <10 10 to ? 17

Range code level xl lw m h vh xh

Assigned Rating 10 30 80 100 70 50

Record Rating for Observed Level

pH range ? 4.5 4.6 to 5.5 5.6 to 6.0 6.1 to 6.5 6.6 to 7.3 7.4 to 7.8 7.9 to 8.4 ? 8.5

Range code level xa sa ma wa n wk mk sk

Assigned Rating 10 50 80 100 100 40 0 0

Record rating for pH range level

Total EW Pores Total Abundance Abundance Abundance

Middens/m2 Horizontal view Earthworm L. terrestris L. terrestris A. caliginosa

Upper Lower at 5 cm depth Abundance (Adults) (Juveniles) (Adults)

1234 ABC 456 2 0 15 C c 60 20 10 18

Level 9: Soil Biota Characterization

Soil Biota Characterization

Depth (cm)Reference

Number

Identifier

Field Site PlotReplicate

Number

Earthworm Pores in 10 x 10 cm square

vf Very Few 1

f Few 2-3c Common 4-5m Many > 6

No of Middens on Surface [In 60 x 60 cm square ( average of 3 replicates, random placement of

square]

N None 0VF Very Few 1 or less

F Few 2-4C Common 5-10P Plentiful >10

Fox, C.A., Tarnocai, C., Broll, G., Joschko, M., Kroetsch, D. and Kenney, E. 2014

Enhanced A Horizon Framework and Field Form for detailed field scale monitoring of dynamic soil properties.

Canadian Journal of Soil Science 94: 189-208 (May Issue)

Contact: [email protected]

Thank you!