Describe one way that soil is used by humans

Bell Work

{

Soil Purposes and Land Capability Classes

Soil Science and Management, Sixth Edition.Edward J. Plaster, Delmar Cengage Learning

Describe one way that soil is used by humans

Discussion

Soil use can be broken into two categories Agricultural Nonagricultural

Uses of Soil

Cropland Annual Crops Perennial Crops

Can be an erosion issue

Agricultural Uses - Cropland

Rangeland – Native grass and shrubs

Vast quantities needed for adequate grazing land

Management

Agricultural Uses - Grazing

Agroforestry (Silviculture) Least destructive to the soil, but there are still concerns What are these concerns?

Agricultural Uses - Forest

Huge trend, especially in urban centers

Small scale farms, in the middle of the city Highly Intensive Soil must be taken care of

Agricultural Uses – Urban Agriculture

Parks, Ball Fields, Golf Courses, etc Turfgrass Management

Natural Resources Hunting Fishing

Non-Agricultural Uses - Recreation

Soil must support whatever we put on it Leaning Tower of Pisa

Load-bearing Capacity Shrink-Swell Potential

Non-Agricultural Uses - Construction

Landfills Environmental issue

Soil used as a filter Leaching

Non-Agricultural Uses – Waste Disposal

24%

8%8

%3%

2%

27%

24%Rangeland PasturelandUrban Land Other LandConservation Reserve Land

Forestland

Cropland

Land Use in the USA – 2007, Soil Science and Management

There are 8 Land Capability Classes as set by the NRCS

I = least restricted VIII = most restricted

Land Capability Classes

Can be: Cropped Pastured Managed for Woodlands and

Wildlife Good water-holding capacity Relatively flat and well drained Best cropland

Class I

Gentle Slopes (2%-6%) Moderate erosion hazards Shallow topsoil Slightly poor drainage Suitable for all uses

Class II

Moderately steep slopes (6%-12%)

High erosion hazards Poor drainage Very Shallow Topsoil Unstable Structure Special conservation methods

are needed for growing crops

Class III

Row crops cannot be grown

Slopes (12%-18%) Cover crops are best Erosion controls MUST be practiced

Class IV

Unsuitable for cultivation Can be used for range, pastureland, woodlands, recreation

Limited by: flooding, rockiness, short growing season

Class V

Same as Class V Steep slope (18%-30%)

Class VI

Relatively unsuitable for production

Preserved only for recreation, wildlife or beauty

Examples: Sandy beaches, rock outcroppings, flooded river bottomsClass VII and Class

VIII

What are the five soil forming factors, excluding humans?

Exit Slip