Using Land Capability Using Land Capability Classifications Classifications

Next Generation Science/Common Core Standards Addressed!Next Generation Science/Common Core Standards Addressed!

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.3 Follow precisely a complex multistep CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.3 Follow precisely a complex multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks, attending to special cases or exceptions defined performing technical tasks, attending to special cases or exceptions defined in the text.in the text.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.9 Compare and contrast findings presented CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.9 Compare and contrast findings presented in a text to those from other sources (including their own experiments), in a text to those from other sources (including their own experiments), noting when the findings support or contradict previous explanations or noting when the findings support or contradict previous explanations or accountsaccounts

CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-Q.A.3 Choose a level of accuracy appropriate to CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-Q.A.3 Choose a level of accuracy appropriate to limitations on measurement when reporting quantitieslimitations on measurement when reporting quantities

Work!Work!

1. Define land capability and ways to 1. Define land capability and ways to improve it.improve it.

2. Identify factors that determine land 2. Identify factors that determine land capability.capability.

3. Explain the land capability 3. Explain the land capability classification system.classification system.

TermsTerms Arable landArable land Capability factorsCapability factors Capability unitCapability unit ErosionErosion Internal drainageInternal drainage IrrigationIrrigation Land capabilityLand capability

Land capability Land capability subclassessubclasses

Land formingLand forming SlopeSlope Soil depthSoil depth Soil permeabilitySoil permeability Surface drainageSurface drainage Surface runoffSurface runoff Surface textureSurface texture

Interest ApproachInterest Approach Just as animals can be classified as to Just as animals can be classified as to

what they produce, land can be classified what they produce, land can be classified as well. as well.

We know beef cattle are used to produce We know beef cattle are used to produce beef and dairy cattle are raised for dairy beef and dairy cattle are raised for dairy products. products.

Land is classified so producers know the Land is classified so producers know the best production practices to use on the best production practices to use on the land for the highest profitability. land for the highest profitability.

What is land capability and What is land capability and how can it be improved?how can it be improved?

Land capability is the suitability of land Land capability is the suitability of land for agricultural uses. for agricultural uses. The uses should not cause any The uses should not cause any

damage to the land. damage to the land. Arable land is land that can be used for Arable land is land that can be used for

crops. crops. These crops typically require some These crops typically require some

form of tillage to the soil. form of tillage to the soil.

To improve arable land, the To improve arable land, the producer can utilize various producer can utilize various cropping practices.cropping practices.

Four common practices are Four common practices are irrigation, erosion control, drainage, irrigation, erosion control, drainage, and forming.and forming.

IrrigationIrrigation is the artificial application of is the artificial application of water to soil or a growing medium to water to soil or a growing medium to assure adequate moisture for plant assure adequate moisture for plant growth. growth. It is often used on a supplemental It is often used on a supplemental

basis in areas where seasonal basis in areas where seasonal shortages of water may reduce crop shortages of water may reduce crop yields. yields.

Erosion control, Erosion control, excessive erosion may excessive erosion may result in land that is no result in land that is no longer fertile. longer fertile. The long-term The long-term

productivity of land productivity of land can be assured by can be assured by controlling soil controlling soil erosion. erosion.

Land sometimes needs surface or Land sometimes needs surface or internal drainage. internal drainage.

Surface drainage is removing water Surface drainage is removing water from the surface of the land.from the surface of the land. Ditches and terraces are most often Ditches and terraces are most often

used for this purpose. used for this purpose. Internal drainage is the removal of Internal drainage is the removal of

water within the soil profile. water within the soil profile. This may be improved with drain This may be improved with drain

tiles or tubes installed below the tiles or tubes installed below the normal plowing depth of the soil. normal plowing depth of the soil.

Soil Drainage!Soil Drainage!

Land forming is the smoothing or Land forming is the smoothing or reshaping of the land to enhance the reshaping of the land to enhance the use of the land. use of the land. Small dips are filled and high places Small dips are filled and high places

are taken down. are taken down. Typically, land forming involves Typically, land forming involves

using laser-guided equipment to using laser-guided equipment to assure a good surface. assure a good surface.

Laser leveling farm land.Laser leveling farm land.

Capability factors are the Capability factors are the characteristics of land that determine characteristics of land that determine its best crop/alternative use. its best crop/alternative use. These factors include both surface These factors include both surface

and subsurface characteristics. and subsurface characteristics. Some common factors are surface Some common factors are surface

texture, internal drainage, soil depth, texture, internal drainage, soil depth, erosion, slope, and surface runoff.erosion, slope, and surface runoff.

Surface texture is the proportion of Surface texture is the proportion of sand, silt, and clay in the soil in the A sand, silt, and clay in the soil in the A horizon (top Layer) Soil can be horizon (top Layer) Soil can be classified as either:classified as either:

Coarse – sandCoarse – sand Moderately Coarse – sand, loam mixModerately Coarse – sand, loam mix Medium – loamMedium – loam Moderately fine- clay, loam mixModerately fine- clay, loam mix Fine- clay particlesFine- clay particles

Internal drainage is known as Internal drainage is known as permeability. permeability. Soil permeability is the movement Soil permeability is the movement

of air and water through the soil. of air and water through the soil. It is determined by the texture and It is determined by the texture and

structure of the soil. structure of the soil. It can be classified as very slow, It can be classified as very slow,

slow, moderate, and rapid. slow, moderate, and rapid.

Soil depth is the Soil depth is the thickness of the soil thickness of the soil layers that are layers that are important in crop important in crop production.production. Soil depth Soil depth

classifications are classifications are very shallow, very shallow, shallow, moderately shallow, moderately deep, or deep. deep, or deep.

Erosion is the loss of topsoil by water, Erosion is the loss of topsoil by water, wind or other forces. wind or other forces. Much of the fertility of land is in the Much of the fertility of land is in the

topsoil. topsoil. Four categories of erosion are used: Four categories of erosion are used:

very severe erosion, severe erosion, very severe erosion, severe erosion, moderate erosion, and none to slight moderate erosion, and none to slight erosion. erosion.

Erosion CategoriesErosion Categories None to Slight Erosion- 0-25% of original topsoil None to Slight Erosion- 0-25% of original topsoil

removedremoved Moderate Erosion- 26-75% of original topsoil Moderate Erosion- 26-75% of original topsoil

removed or 1 crossable gully present.removed or 1 crossable gully present. Severe Erosion – 76% plus of the original topsoil Severe Erosion – 76% plus of the original topsoil

removed or 1 un-crossable gully present.removed or 1 un-crossable gully present. Very Severe Erosion – More than 1 un-crossable Very Severe Erosion – More than 1 un-crossable

gully present.gully present.

Slope is the rise and fall in the Slope is the rise and fall in the elevation of land.elevation of land. It is measured in percent or the It is measured in percent or the

number of feet of rise and fall in 100 number of feet of rise and fall in 100 feet. feet.

Six classes of land slope are Six classes of land slope are commonly used: very steep, steep, commonly used: very steep, steep, strongly sloping, moderately strongly sloping, moderately sloping, gently sloping, and nearly sloping, gently sloping, and nearly level. level.

Degree of slope!Degree of slope!

Nearly level =Nearly level = 0- up to 1 foot of slope in 100’0- up to 1 foot of slope in 100’ Gentle slope = 1 – up to 3 feet of slope in 100’Gentle slope = 1 – up to 3 feet of slope in 100’ Moderate slope = over 3’ of slope up to 5’ in 100’Moderate slope = over 3’ of slope up to 5’ in 100’ Strong slope = over 5’ of slope up to 8’ in 100’Strong slope = over 5’ of slope up to 8’ in 100’ Steep slope = over 8’ of slope up to 15’ in 100’Steep slope = over 8’ of slope up to 15’ in 100’ Very steep slope = greater than 15’ of slope in 100’Very steep slope = greater than 15’ of slope in 100’

The slope of The slope of the land plays the land plays a major role in a major role in the level of the level of erosion on the erosion on the soil. soil.

Surface runoff is the water from rain, Surface runoff is the water from rain, snow, or other precipitation that does snow, or other precipitation that does not soak into the ground. not soak into the ground. The amount of runoff depends on the The amount of runoff depends on the

soil texture and slope of the land. soil texture and slope of the land. The categories of surface runoff are: The categories of surface runoff are:

very slow, slow, moderate, and rapid. very slow, slow, moderate, and rapid.

Categories of soil runoff!Categories of soil runoff!

Very Slow = 0-1’ of slope on coarse soilVery Slow = 0-1’ of slope on coarse soil Slow = 0-1’ of slope on other texturesSlow = 0-1’ of slope on other textures Moderate = 1-3’ of slope on any textureModerate = 1-3’ of slope on any texture Rapid = over 3’ of slope on any textureRapid = over 3’ of slope on any texture

What is the system used to What is the system used to classify land capability?classify land capability?

The system of land capability The system of land capability classification involves land classes, classification involves land classes, subclasses, and capabilitysubclasses, and capability Land capability classes are based on Land capability classes are based on

the capability factors of the land. the capability factors of the land. The Roman numerals I thru VIII are The Roman numerals I thru VIII are

used. used. The land capability classes are: The land capability classes are:

Class I: Very good landClass I: Very good land Class I land has no limitations.Class I land has no limitations. It is nearly level and has deep soil, good It is nearly level and has deep soil, good

internal drainage, and good surface internal drainage, and good surface drainage. drainage.

This land can be cropped every year This land can be cropped every year without special practices to control without special practices to control erosion.erosion.

Class II: Good landClass II: Good land This land has deep soil with a few This land has deep soil with a few

limitations. limitations. The soil requires moderate The soil requires moderate

attention to conservation practices. attention to conservation practices. Contour plowing and other easy to Contour plowing and other easy to

use practices are often used.use practices are often used.

Class III: Moderately good landClass III: Moderately good land This land has more limitations than This land has more limitations than

Class II. Class II. Crops must be more carefully selected. Crops must be more carefully selected. This land is often found on gently This land is often found on gently

sloping hills. sloping hills. Increased attention must be given to Increased attention must be given to

conservation practices, such as terraces conservation practices, such as terraces and strip cropping. and strip cropping.

This land can be productive with proper This land can be productive with proper management by the producer.management by the producer.

Class IV: Fairly good landClass IV: Fairly good land This class of land is the lowest that should This class of land is the lowest that should

be cultivated. be cultivated. It has very severe limitations that restrict It has very severe limitations that restrict

the choices of crops and require special the choices of crops and require special conservation management practices. conservation management practices.

This land is on hills and has more slope This land is on hills and has more slope than land found in Class III. than land found in Class III.

The land is frequently subject to erosion, The land is frequently subject to erosion, especially gullies.especially gullies.

Class V: Unsuited for cultivationClass V: Unsuited for cultivation Class V land can be used for pasture Class V land can be used for pasture

crops, cattle grazing, hay crops, and crops, cattle grazing, hay crops, and tree farming. tree farming.

The land is often used for wildlife and The land is often used for wildlife and recreation areas.recreation areas.

The soil typically has good tilth and The soil typically has good tilth and fertility, but is restricted in use by rock fertility, but is restricted in use by rock outcrops or frequent overflow from outcrops or frequent overflow from nearby waterways, slope or erosion nearby waterways, slope or erosion factors.factors.

Class VI: Not suited for row cropsClass VI: Not suited for row crops This land class has too much slope This land class has too much slope

for growing row crops. for growing row crops. The soil may have fair productivity if it The soil may have fair productivity if it

has not been damaged by erosion. has not been damaged by erosion. Gullies often quickly form if not Gullies often quickly form if not

carefully managed.carefully managed.

Class VII: Highly unsuited for cultivationClass VII: Highly unsuited for cultivation Class VII land has severe limitations. This Class VII land has severe limitations. This

class should not be cultivated.class should not be cultivated. Best uses are permanent pasture, forestry, Best uses are permanent pasture, forestry,

and wildlife. and wildlife. Slope is often well over 12 percent. Slope is often well over 12 percent. The soil is very shallow. The soil is very shallow. Large rock surfaces may be present. Large rock surfaces may be present. This land is often found in dry areas.This land is often found in dry areas.

Class VIII: Unsuited for plant productionClass VIII: Unsuited for plant production This land cannot be used for row crops This land cannot be used for row crops

or other crops where the land is tilled. or other crops where the land is tilled. It is often lowland covered with water It is often lowland covered with water

most or all of the time or extremely most or all of the time or extremely steep.steep.

The soil may be wet and high in sand or The soil may be wet and high in sand or clay. clay.

This class of land is often used for This class of land is often used for waterfowl habitat.waterfowl habitat.

Review/SummaryReview/Summary

What is land capability and how can it What is land capability and how can it be improved?be improved?

What factors determine land What factors determine land capability?capability?

What is the system used to classify What is the system used to classify land capability?land capability?

The End!The End!