Envirothon Training Soils/Land Use�

Dave Kohake

Area Resource Soil Scientist

Manhattan, KS

David.Kohake@usda.gov

What is Soil? Why is important?�

Soil – The unconsolidated mineral or organic material on the immediate surface of the earth that serves as a natural medium for the growth of land plants.

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Importance:

• Basis for Agroecosystems which provide food, fiber, fuel, feed
• Acts as water filter
• Foundation for our homes, towns, cities, roads, etc.
• Habitat for billions of organisms contributing to biodiversity
• Supplies antibiotics used to fight diseases

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Five Factors of Soil Formation

Why soils occur where they do

Parent Materials in Kansas

• Residuum
• Limestone
• Shale
• Sandstone
• Loess
• Alluvium
• Colluvium
• Glacial Till
• Glacial Outwash
• Eolian Sands
• Others

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Surficial Geologic Formations of Kansas

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Parent Material and Soil Relationships

Block Diagram of MLRA 106

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Block Diagram of MLRA 76

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Climate: Precipitation & Temperature

Topography

• Landform Position
• Slope
• Elevation
• Aspect

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Elevation/Hillshade of Kansas

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Organisms (Biota)

• Soil is a living, breathing thing
• Plants (grasses, trees)
• Microorganisms
• Macroorganisms
• Fungi
• Bacteria
• Others

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• Facilitate weathering of materials and soil development/formation

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Time

Older vs. Younger Soil

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Soil Profile

State Soil of Kansas - Harney

Physical Properties of Soils

• Texture (sand, silt, and clay)
• Color
• Structure
• Permeability
• Available Water Capacity

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Chemical Properties of Soils

• pH
• Salinity/Sodicity
• Cation Exchange Capacity
• Soil Fertility

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Biological Properties of Soils

• Respiration Rates
• Potential Nitrogen or Carbon mineralization
• Earthworm amounts
• Microorganism biomass or diversity

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Soil Surveys in Kansas

• Wichita Area in 1902

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• “Modern” Soil Surveys
• County by County
• Big push 1960’s-1980’s

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• All Initial Soil Surveys complete in KS in 1990’s
• Washington County

Soil Mapping and Soil Survey

Soil Mapping and Soil Survey

Soil Series – the lowest category of

Soil taxonomy. A conceptualized

class of soil bodies that have limits

and ranges more restrictive than

higher taxa

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Soil Map Unit – a conceptual group

of one or more delineations that

represent similar types of soil

components on similar types of

landform positions

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Often see Series, surface texture,

slope, and/or flooding frequency

in map unit name.

Web Soil Survey – Official Soils Data

Soil Maps, Soil Reports, Soil Interpretations

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• Building Site Development
• Construction Materials
• Land Classifications
• Land Management
• Recreational Development
• Sanitary Facilities
• Soil Chemical Properties
• Soil Erosion
• Soil Physical Properties
• Soil Qualities and Features
• Vegetative Productivity
• Waste Management
• Water Features
• Water Management
• Etc.

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Web Soil Survey – Official Soils Data

Water Erosion

• Maintain cover (growing plants or crop residue) year round
• Contour Farming
• Terraces/Waterways
• Strip cropping

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Wind Erosion

• Maintain cover (growing plants or crop residue)
• Reduce cultivated fallow
• Reduce or eliminate tillage
• If till, use implements that bury less residue
• Plant and maintain shelterbelts
• Avoid overgrazing

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Wetlands

• Supports a prevalence of Hydrophytic vegetation (plants growing in water or a substrate deficient in oxygen due to excessive water content)

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• Has a predominance of Hydric Soils (soils saturated, flooded, or ponded long enough to develop anaerobic conditions that support growth and regeneration of hydrophytic vegetation)

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• Is inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequencyand duration to support a prevalence of hydrophytic vegetation

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Wetlands – Functions and Values

• Wildlife Habitat
• Flood Protection/Water Storage
• Groundwater Recharge – Streamflow maintenance
• Improving Water Quality by filtering sediment & chemicals

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Questions?

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(866) 632-9992.  Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1)    mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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