SoilsSoils

Smithsonian MovieSmithsonian Movie

Building Blocks of LifeBuilding Blocks of Life

What is soil made of?What is soil made of?

►Mineral material - different sizesMineral material - different sizes SandSand SiltSilt ClayClay

►Organic matterOrganic matter decayed remains of plants and animalsdecayed remains of plants and animals Soil microbes – especially fungiSoil microbes – especially fungi

► AirAir►WaterWater

How much?How much?

►Mineral – less than ½Mineral – less than ½►Organic – only 5%Organic – only 5%►Most is pore spaceMost is pore space

WaterWater AirAir

Soil ProfileSoil Profile

Soil ProfileSoil Profile

►O – OrganicO – Organic►A – Top soilA – Top soil►B - SubsoilB - Subsoil►C – Parent MaterialC – Parent Material

Which is whichWhich is which

►LayersLayers

Which type do we have in Which type do we have in Va?Va?

►Soil ordersSoil orders

UltisolsUltisols►Virginia and the mid-Atlantic states Virginia and the mid-Atlantic states

have Ultisolshave Ultisols►Red to yellow (iron oxide)Red to yellow (iron oxide)►AcidicAcidic►Highly weathered Highly weathered

MovieMovie

►Water & Soil Water & Soil structurestructure

Soil Survey or Soil MappingSoil Survey or Soil Mapping

► Classifying soil types and other soil Classifying soil types and other soil properties and geo-encodingproperties and geo-encoding

►Data acquired by field sampling & remote Data acquired by field sampling & remote sensingsensing

► Used by farmers and foresters to help Used by farmers and foresters to help determine determine suitability for crops or livestocksuitability for crops or livestock type of management required. type of management required.

► An architect or engineer - suitability for An architect or engineer - suitability for construction.construction.

Aerial Photo & Soil SurveyAerial Photo & Soil Survey

Go to Go to websoilsurveywebsoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov .nrcs.usda.gov

Soil ProjectSoil Project

►Root Viewing BoxRoot Viewing Box►Transfer a soil horizonTransfer a soil horizon