 What is slimy, red, and helps you grow your veggies? If you guessed red wiggler worms, you would be correct! Red wiggler worms, also known as red worms, tiger worms, and manure worms, are a small species of earthworm measuring 3 to 4 inches long. Red wigglers are originally from Europe, but have now spread to all continents on the globe except Antarctica. For those of us who vermicompost, red wigglers are well known as these voracious eaters are excellent at breaking down food scraps to recycle the nutrients into a valuable soil amendment. But let's learn a little more about these hard working critters! Fun facts:
Red wigglers are such cool creatures! To learn more about how they help with composting visit our previous blog about Vermicomposting is For the Worms!
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 The soils of the world are diverse and allow us to produce a plethora of crops and food to support the global population. World Soil Day, celebrated annually on December 5th, was established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to celebrate one of our most vital resources. Soil is essential for filtering pollutants from our water, storing carbon, and providing the foundation for an estimated 95 percent of the world’s food supply. The theme for the 2021 World Soil Day is Halt soil salinization, boost soil productivity. According to the FAO, soil salinization and sodification are major soil degradation processes threatening ecosystems and are recognized as being among the most important problems at a global level for agricultural production, food security and sustainability in arid and semi-arid regions. The goal of World Soil Day aims to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being by addressing the growing challenges in soil management, fighting soil salinization, increasing soil awareness and encouraging societies to improve soil health.  Soil is a non-renewable resource that we must conserve and care for in order to continue thriving in this world. However soils are subjected to pollution and loss, especially due to erosion. Soil particles can be detached and moved out of a field by both wind and water. Wind can pick up small soil particles, transporting them long distances. Water moving along the ground surface can remove a thin sheet of soil, create small channels, or wash out large gullies. Factors that contribute to erosion: 1. Rainfall — soil erosion increases as length or intensity of rainfall increases 2. Slope length/grade — soil erosion is worse on longer/steeper slopes because water moves faster across the soil 3. Vegetation/residue — growing plants and residue protect the soil from rain impact, slow down flowing water and increase infiltration of water into the soil, as well as protecting the soil from wind erosion. 4. Soil texture/structure — Courser soils (sands) with larger pores allow for faster infiltration (less erosion) of water than soils with finer textures (clays). Soil structure is the arrangement of sand, silt, and clay particles into aggregates. Good structure at the soil surface will also allow for increased infiltration, poor structure leads to more runoff and erosion. Poor structure is associated with low organic matter, equipment traffic on wet soils, and exposure of disturbed soil to adverse weather.  The costs: 1. Yield Potential — soil erosion removes topsoil, which is high in organic matter and contains the nutrients essential for crop growth. Erosion generally decreases yield potential. 2. Nutrients — nutrients needed for crop growth are located in the topsoil where fertilizers, crop residues, and manure are applied; soil erosion will decrease the nutrient content. 3. Water holding capacity — loss of topsoil organic matter can change the overall texture of a soil and result in lower water holding capacity 4. Organic matter — topsoil is high in organic matter where crop residues and manure have been added to the soil. Erosion usually results in decreased organic matter. 5. The environment — water quality in streams, lakes, etc. can be greatly negatively affected by sediment and nutrients that are brought in by soil erosion. Wind erosion can result in reduced air quality. Possible Solutions on the Farm: 1. Reduce tillage — tillage exposes soil to the environment and makes it more likely to be eroded by wind or water. 2. Manage crop residue — keeping crop residues on the soil surface helps protect soil from wind, rain, and running water. Residue can protect soil from erosion when crops are not growing in a field 3. Grass waterways — maintaining grass waterways in low areas where a high volume of runoff is possible will slow the speed of running water and allow for sediment to be kept in the field. 4. Cover crops — cover crops allow protection for a field during times of the year when crops are not growing. Cover crops protect the soil from wind, rain, and running water. 5. Row width/direction — narrower crop rows will canopy sooner and allow for better protection of the soil. Crop rows that are planted perpendicular to slopes will decrease runoff and increase infiltration vs. rows that are planted in the same direction as the slope ...And in the Neighborhood: 1. Stabilize soil by mulching with shredded bark, wood chips, leaves, or even pine needles - Look for locally sourced materials and cover bare patches of soil, hill sides, and spaces between plants. 2. Ground Cover - From lawn daisies to clover, keep it covered. The roots of larger perennial plants do the job too of reducing erosion. 3. Rain Gardens & Plant Catchments - Catch and control water when it’s moving downhill by creating a rain garden. A well-positioned rain garden can cut down on erosion and the possibility of pollutants reaching neighboring tributaries by over 30%. To plant a rain garden, select water loving plants adapted to your region and climate, and add stones and other features to direct the water. Soil erosion has a large number of negative effects to both crops and the environment. It is important to use various management practices to protect the soil’s surface and minimize the likelihood of erosion.  We all have soil to thank for the food on our tables and our ability to thrive on the planet. Recognizing its importance and what steps can be taken to protect this vital resource are critical to that continued existence.
Educators, did you get a chance to check out the virtual Greater Cincinnati Environmental Educators Expo this year? If not, take a sneak peek at the session presented by our Education Specialist, Melissa! She presents on the various program options teachers can do with worm observations, and is joined by Clermont SWCD educator to discuss the new SW Ohio Education Site. Check out the segment from the conference below! (This conference is usually hosted by the Cincinnati Zoo, so enjoy an animal encounter during the first 15 minutes of the video or jump to the 15 minute mark to begin the lesson presentation!) Ever wanted to explore your local stream, but didn’t know exactly where and how? This summer Warren County SWCD are hosting stream encounters where residents can enjoy their local streams through guided educational opportunities and cleanups. While participating in beautification efforts, you will also learn about how we monitor for stream health. To register, go to: https://www.warrenswcd.com/stream-encounters.html Check out these Warren County Events: Harmon Park Stream Encounter - Tue, July 10, 10am – 12pm Location: Harmon Park, 300 S East St, Lebanon, OH 45036, USA (map) St. Susanna Stream Encounter - Wed, August 1, 10am – 12pm Location: St. Susanna Catholic Church, 616 Reading Rd, Mason, OH 45040 (map)
Summer is the ideal time to connect with nature or #EscapetheIndoors. During this Great Outdoors Month explore different activities that you can enjoy outdoors. Enjoy planing a fishing, boating, camping, hiking or even biking adventure! https://www.greatoutdoorsmonth.org/ Event Planning: www.greatoutdoorsmonth.org/activites-and-events Volunteer Stewardship Opportunities: https://www.warrenswcd.com/volunteer-opportunities.html www.greatoutdoorsmonth.org/stewardship Earth Team Volunteer: www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/people/volunteers/ National Trails Day As of June 2, kids and families can download the new Junior Ranger "Let's Go Fishing!" Activity Booklet or pick up printed copies at a growing number of parksover the summer. Follow #GoFishingInParks. Warren County Ohio Park District: www.co.warren.oh.us/parks/ 2018 Caesar Creek Events: parks.ohiodnr.gov/portals/parks/PDFs/things_to_do/naturalists/CaesarCreek2018.pdf Above Photos taken at Caesar Creek Nature Center featuring our wonderful host - Sarah Blair/ODNR, Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalists, Franklin High School Environmental Classes, Franklin HS Environmental/Biology Teacher Mr. Keith Vinson - 2017 Warren County SWCD Educator or the Year, www.caesarcreekstatepark.com/nature-center.html OHIO'S SCENIC RIVERS Celebrates 50 Years of Conserving Rivers, lakes and oceans - our blue spaces benefit both our physical and mental well-being. We rely on rivers for clean drinking water and as places of recreation and rejuvenation. Even the sound of moving water has a calming and restoring effect on the mind. Whether you are looking for a peaceful picnic or rest spot by a babbling brook, a scenic river-front hike or a place to paddle, you can find activities along Wild and Scenic Rivers that contribute to your good health. Wild Scenic Rivers Health & Safety: www.rivers.gov/wsr50/files/health-safety-infographic.pdf Roughly 65% of our nation’s drinking water comes from rivers and streams. Toxins that contaminate water can harm the human body, meaning that "good health starts with good water chemistry".  
Many plants and some animals, such as freshwater mussels, can filter water by removing harmful chemical compounds. Since humans need assistance making sure the water we ingest is clean, protect your own health by understanding the ecosystems responsible for your clean water and helping your local watershed group clean up litter - thus removing water pollutants. Warren County SWCD Educational Services and Programs: https://www.warrenswcd.com/education.html This week is #NationalAgWeek! Take time this week to thank a unique person whom works tirelessly to provide others with food, fiber and even fuel products that we consume and/or utilize daily.  "Soil is a living and life-giving natural resource." World population and food production demands continue to rise; our soil health and productivity is most significant. Using soil health initiatives that include no-till, cover cropping and diverse rotations, increase soil’s organic matter and improves microbial activity. As a result, farmers are secluding more carbon in the soil, increasing water infiltration, improving wildlife and pollinator habitat which subsequently harvests better profits and often provides better yields. Additional resources on soil health through the USDA and NRCS are designed to help understand the basics and benefits of soil health and to learn about Soil Health Management Systems from farmers whom are using such systems: www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/soils/health/ The National Ag Day program believes that every American should:
Helpful Websites for Educators and Students: www.agday.org/helpful-websites
 While our first President of the United States is well known for many contributions to shaping our country, one not-so-well-known achievement was that of being an agricultural pioneer. He grew a plethora of crops and tailored his growing based on results obtained from different soil types on the land. He also was a staunch believer in the utilization of compost to enhance and enrich the soil. Washington experimented with crop rotation plans, and sought to educate others on the importance of soil health. Washington’s accomplishments in the field of agriculture were so highly respected that he was elected to honorary membership in the Philadelphia Society for the Promotion of Agriculture, the first American organization devoted to agricultural improvement. Today it is appropriate to celebrate George Washington as one of the first conservationists of our country! “It will not be doubted that with reference either to individual or national welfare, agriculture is of primary importance. In proportion as nations advance in population and other circumstances of maturity this truth becomes more apparent, and renders the cultivation of the soil more and more an object of public patronage.” -George Washington address to Congress
 The Global Soil Partnership is dedicating World Soil Day 2017 to the theme "Caring for the Planet starts from the Ground". Soil is a finite natural resource. On a human time-scale it is non-renewable. However, despite the essential role that soil plays in human livelihoods, there is a worldwide increase in degradation of soil resources due to inappropriate management practices, population pressure driving unsustainable intensification and inadequate governance over this essential resource. The World Soil Day (WSD) campaign aims to connect people with soils and raise awareness on their critical importance in our lives. The International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS), in 2002, adopted a resolution proposing the 5th of December as World Soil Day to celebrate the importance of soil as a critical component of the natural system and as a vital contributor to human well being. In December 2013, the 68th UN General Assembly declared 5th of December as the World Soil Day. "On World Soil Day, I call for greater attention to the pressing issues affecting soils, including climate change, antimicrobial resistance, soil-borne diseases, contamination, nutrition and human health." — UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon  For more information on World Soil Day, visit http://www.fao.org/world-soil-day/en/
 “When you hold soil in the palms of your hands, you are holding more life in your hands than there are people on this planet.” Earthworm Facts to Research:
http://www.biologyjunction.com/earthworm%20facts.htm  More Earthworm Fun Facts to Research:
http://www.biologyjunction.com/earthworm%20facts.htm
Discover things that worms and all animals need to survive when setting up and/or caring for earthworms in a composting bin:
Bob and Otto |
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Soil Profile:
There are different types of soil, each with its own set of characteristics.
Dig down deep into any soil, and you’ll see that it is made of layers, or horizons (O, A, E, B, C, R).
Put the horizons together, and they form a soil profile.
Like a biography, each profile tells a story about the life of a soil.
Most soils have three major horizons (A, B, C) and some have an organic horizon (O).
The Horizons are:
There are different types of soil, each with its own set of characteristics.
Dig down deep into any soil, and you’ll see that it is made of layers, or horizons (O, A, E, B, C, R).
Put the horizons together, and they form a soil profile.
Like a biography, each profile tells a story about the life of a soil.
Most soils have three major horizons (A, B, C) and some have an organic horizon (O).
The Horizons are:
O – (humus or organic) Mostly organic matter such as decomposing leaves. The O horizon is thin or thick in some soils, yet not present at all in others.
A - (topsoil) Mostly minerals from parent material with organic matter incorporated. A valuable material for plants and other organisms to live.
E – (eluviated) Leached of clay, minerals, and organic matter, leaving a concentration of sand and silt particles of quartz or other resistant materials – missing in some soils but often found in older soils and forest soils.
B – (subsoil) Rich in minerals that leached (moved down) from the A or E horizons and accumulated here.
C – (parent material) The deposit at Earth’s surface from which the soil developed.
R – (bedrock) A mass of rock such as granite, basalt, quartzite, limestone or sandstone that forms the parent material for some soils – if the bedrock is close enough to the surface to weather. This is not soil and is located under the C horizon.
A - (topsoil) Mostly minerals from parent material with organic matter incorporated. A valuable material for plants and other organisms to live.
E – (eluviated) Leached of clay, minerals, and organic matter, leaving a concentration of sand and silt particles of quartz or other resistant materials – missing in some soils but often found in older soils and forest soils.
B – (subsoil) Rich in minerals that leached (moved down) from the A or E horizons and accumulated here.
C – (parent material) The deposit at Earth’s surface from which the soil developed.
R – (bedrock) A mass of rock such as granite, basalt, quartzite, limestone or sandstone that forms the parent material for some soils – if the bedrock is close enough to the surface to weather. This is not soil and is located under the C horizon.
“Be it deep or shallow, red or black, sand or clay, the soil is the link between the rock core of the earth and the living things on its surface.
It is the foothold for the plants we grow. Therein lies the main reason
for our interest in soils.”
- Roy W. Simonson, USDA Yearbook of Agriculture, 1957
It is the foothold for the plants we grow. Therein lies the main reason
for our interest in soils.”
- Roy W. Simonson, USDA Yearbook of Agriculture, 1957
Soil Degradation:
Soil degradation is a human-induced or natural process which impairs the capacity of soil to function. In 3000 BC for example, the Sumerians built large cities in the deserts of Southern Mesopotamia. Using irrigation, they farmed the desert soils and created large food surpluses thus making their civilization possible. However around 2200 BC, their civilization collapsed. Scientists still debate why; one reason may be tied to the soil. Irrigating in dry climates can cause a buildup of salt, a process called salinization. Few crops can tolerate salt. The soil in this region still remains too salty to grow crops. Other activities that degrade the soil include contamination, desertification, and erosion.
Soil degradation is a human-induced or natural process which impairs the capacity of soil to function. In 3000 BC for example, the Sumerians built large cities in the deserts of Southern Mesopotamia. Using irrigation, they farmed the desert soils and created large food surpluses thus making their civilization possible. However around 2200 BC, their civilization collapsed. Scientists still debate why; one reason may be tied to the soil. Irrigating in dry climates can cause a buildup of salt, a process called salinization. Few crops can tolerate salt. The soil in this region still remains too salty to grow crops. Other activities that degrade the soil include contamination, desertification, and erosion.
Soil is Inter-Disciplinary:
Soil has been a defining component of cultures since the beginning of civilization. Some of the first written words were recorded on clay tablets and water was carried in clay pitchers.
Soil has been a defining component of cultures since the beginning of civilization. Some of the first written words were recorded on clay tablets and water was carried in clay pitchers.
- Soil provides the base for all buildings (although some may be able to support a skyscraper and some others may not be able to support your weight).
- Soil holds the clues of past cultures (to be revealed by archeologists or erosion).
- Soil supports the web of life (connecting all ecosystems).
- Soil provides materials to build houses.
- Soil is a source of nutraceuticals (defined in the American Heritage Dictionary as a food or naturally occurring food supplement thought to have a beneficial effect on human health).
- Last but not least, soil provides the base for our food, fiber, feed, and even some biofuels.
Classification of Soils: The system is called Soil Taxonomy
•The highest level is the soil order (12 - USDA Soil Taxonomy)
•The lowest level is the soil series (often a place name)
•The highest level is the soil order (12 - USDA Soil Taxonomy)
•The lowest level is the soil series (often a place name)
Soils influence the worldwide distribution of plants, animals, and people.
Soil Regions of Ohio - USDA/NRCS:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/oh/soils/
www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/oh/soils/
The Ancient Rule -“Whatever is affixed to the soil
belongs to the soil”
- (Anglo-Saxon Law)
The Ancient Rule -“Whatever is affixed to the soil
belongs to the soil”
- (Anglo-Saxon Law)
Soil Experiments and Hands-On Inquiry: www.soils4kids.org/experiments
Get to Know Your Soil
Examine Your Soil Profile:
Understanding your soil profile will tell you much about how well your soil will drain and how deep your plant roots will be able to penetrate . As the diagram shows below, plant roots will be found mostly in the topsoil and subsoil. The deeper the topsoil and subsoil, the better your plants will be able to perform.
Understanding your soil profile will tell you much about how well your soil will drain and how deep your plant roots will be able to penetrate . As the diagram shows below, plant roots will be found mostly in the topsoil and subsoil. The deeper the topsoil and subsoil, the better your plants will be able to perform.
Testing Soil pH: The pH of your soil will affect how well some plants can perform compared to others, as different plants are adapted to different soil pH. Soil pH is a measure of the acidity and alkalinity. pH levels range from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral, below 7 acidic and above 7 alkaline. Soils usually range from 4 to 10. The pH is one of the most important properties involved in plant growth, as well as understanding how rapidly reactions occur in the soil. .For example, the element iron becomes less available to plant roots at higher pH levels. This creates iron deficiency problems. Soil pH can be adjusted to suit the needs of the plants that you wish to grow.
Crops usually prefer values between 5.5-8, but the value depends on the crop. The pH of soil comes from the parent material during soil formation, but humans can add things to soils to change them to better suit plant growth. Soil pH also affects organisms.
Soil testing kits and equipment can be purchased through catalogs and from local garden centers; however, their overall quality and dependability is strongly associated with, "you get what you pay for". Even a one degree difference in pH is an exponential amount. Given the expenses that can be incurred by making a fertilizer application error (e.g. too much or not enough), the expense of using a reputable soil testing lab is usually justified.
Contact Warren SWCD for a formal laboratory Soil Testing Kit:
www.warrenswcd.com/
Once you get to know your soil better and know it's pH, you can begin to improve your soil organically. If your soil is alkaline (pH 9+), additions of organic matter such as compost, worm castings, manure, etc. will help make the soil more acidic. Organic matter in the soil will help to attract and increase soil life which in turn will help break down insoluble organic particles into soluble plant food. Healthy soils will be full of life that in turn helps improve your soils. All life needs to feed and organic matter in the soil is what soil organisms feed upon. Continued applications of chemical fertilizers and pesticides can severely impact the soil life and soil condition.
Some soil may be considered too shallow, sandy, compacted...beyond repair. Raised beds and no-dig gardening can be further explored to grow food in varied conditions. Good healthy soil inhibits the growth of healthy plants that are less prone to diseases and insect attacks. Using organic methods to manage your soil will naturally improve productivity.
Crops usually prefer values between 5.5-8, but the value depends on the crop. The pH of soil comes from the parent material during soil formation, but humans can add things to soils to change them to better suit plant growth. Soil pH also affects organisms.
Soil testing kits and equipment can be purchased through catalogs and from local garden centers; however, their overall quality and dependability is strongly associated with, "you get what you pay for". Even a one degree difference in pH is an exponential amount. Given the expenses that can be incurred by making a fertilizer application error (e.g. too much or not enough), the expense of using a reputable soil testing lab is usually justified.
Contact Warren SWCD for a formal laboratory Soil Testing Kit:
www.warrenswcd.com/
Once you get to know your soil better and know it's pH, you can begin to improve your soil organically. If your soil is alkaline (pH 9+), additions of organic matter such as compost, worm castings, manure, etc. will help make the soil more acidic. Organic matter in the soil will help to attract and increase soil life which in turn will help break down insoluble organic particles into soluble plant food. Healthy soils will be full of life that in turn helps improve your soils. All life needs to feed and organic matter in the soil is what soil organisms feed upon. Continued applications of chemical fertilizers and pesticides can severely impact the soil life and soil condition.
Some soil may be considered too shallow, sandy, compacted...beyond repair. Raised beds and no-dig gardening can be further explored to grow food in varied conditions. Good healthy soil inhibits the growth of healthy plants that are less prone to diseases and insect attacks. Using organic methods to manage your soil will naturally improve productivity.
The Jar Soil Test: Identify Your Soil Type
- Fill a clear glass jar halfway with your soil sample. (A pint or quart Mason jar works well with a tight lid).
- Fill the jar nearly to the top with water, leaving 1' of air.
- Attach and tighten the lid; shake the jar vigorously so that all the particles are in suspension and the clumps of soil are broken up.
- Set your jar aside to rest, undisturbed, overnight. This allows the particles to settle, eventually separating into distinct layers of clay, sand, and silt.
- When comparing the different thicknesses of the layers, you can work out the percentages of the different soil particle sizes and determine more closely your soil type. Measure the percentages of sand,silt & clay and apply them to the soil triangle to determine your soil type.
Read the Results of your Jar Soil Test
- The bottom layer will be the heavier particles, sand, and rocks.
- The next layer will be the silt particles.
- Above that are the clay particles.
- Organic matter may be floating on the surface of the water.
- The color of the soil gives a clue to its character – light colors usually have less organic content than dark soil and dark soil warms faster in the spring.
There are three soil components – Clay, Sand, and Silt
Sand makes up the largest particles in soil structure. These are rounded, rather than flat and allows for larger space between the particles. Water drains quickly from the soil that has a lot of sand and the nutrients drain faster too. If your soil is mostly sand, the plants will need more water and fertilizer.
Silt represents the middle size pieces. It is made up of rock and mineral particles that are larger than clay but smaller than sand. Individual silt particles are so small that they are difficult to see. To be classified as silt, a particle must be less than .005 centimeters (.002 inches) across.
Clay is the smallest mineral component. These tiny flat particles fit closely together to create the greatest surface area of all soil types. Clay soil contains needed nutrients and also stores water well. So well in fact, that drainage is slow in clay soil. It is also the slowest to warm in the spring.
Silt represents the middle size pieces. It is made up of rock and mineral particles that are larger than clay but smaller than sand. Individual silt particles are so small that they are difficult to see. To be classified as silt, a particle must be less than .005 centimeters (.002 inches) across.
Clay is the smallest mineral component. These tiny flat particles fit closely together to create the greatest surface area of all soil types. Clay soil contains needed nutrients and also stores water well. So well in fact, that drainage is slow in clay soil. It is also the slowest to warm in the spring.
If your jar test is 20% clay, 40% Silt, 40% sand = Loam,
you have the perfect combination.
you have the perfect combination.
Measuring Soil Texture by Feel:
- Soil texture is a measure of the relative proportion of the various soil particle size fractions in soil.
- Soil texture affects the physical and chemical properties of a soil.
- Field texturing is a quick method of determining soil texture, enabling an immediate interpretation of texture in a soil profile.
Soil Science Teacher Resources K-12:
www.soils4teachers.org/lessons-and-activities/teachers-guide/soil-formation
www.soils4teachers.org/lessons-and-activities/teachers-guide/soil-formation
Soils Sustain Life Overview:
www.soils.org/files/sssa/iys/edu-materials-kit/soils-overview-for-teachers.pdf
www.soils.org/files/sssa/iys/edu-materials-kit/soils-overview-for-teachers.pdf
Soils are complex mixtures of minerals, water, air, organic matter, and countless organisms that are the decaying remains of once-living things. It forms at the surface of land – it is the “skin of the earth.” Soil is capable of supporting plant life and is vital to life on earth.
Soil, as formally defined in the Soil Science Society of America Glossary of Soil Science Terms, is:
1 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.
2 The unconsolidated mineral or organic matter on the surface of the earth that has been subjected to and shows effects of genetic and environmental factors of: climate (including water and temperature effects), and macro- and microorganisms, conditioned by relief, acting on parent material over a period of time.
Soil, as formally defined in the Soil Science Society of America Glossary of Soil Science Terms, is:
1 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.
2 The unconsolidated mineral or organic matter on the surface of the earth that has been subjected to and shows effects of genetic and environmental factors of: climate (including water and temperature effects), and macro- and microorganisms, conditioned by relief, acting on parent material over a period of time.
So then, what is dirt?
Dirt is what gets on our clothes or under our fingernails. It is soil that is out of place in our world – whether tracked inside by shoes or on our clothes. Dirt is also soil that has lost the characteristics that give it the ability to support life – it is “dead.”
Soil performs many critical functions in almost any ecosystem (whether a farm, forest, prairie, marsh or suburban watershed).
Dirt is what gets on our clothes or under our fingernails. It is soil that is out of place in our world – whether tracked inside by shoes or on our clothes. Dirt is also soil that has lost the characteristics that give it the ability to support life – it is “dead.”
Soil performs many critical functions in almost any ecosystem (whether a farm, forest, prairie, marsh or suburban watershed).
There are seven general roles that soils play:
1 Soils serve as media for growth of all kinds of plants.
2 Soils modify the atmosphere by emitting and absorbing gases (carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, and the like) and dust.
3 Soils provide habitat for animals that live in the soil (such as groundhogs and mice) to organisms (such as bacteria and fungi), that account for most of the living things on Earth.
4 Soils absorb, hold, release, alter, and purify most of the water in terrestrial systems.
5 Soils process recycled nutrients, including carbon, so that living things can use them over and over again.
6 Soils serve as engineering media for construction of foundations, roadbeds, dams and buildings, and preserve or destroy artifacts of human endeavors.
7 Soils act as a living filter to clean water before it moves into an aquifer.
1 Soils serve as media for growth of all kinds of plants.
2 Soils modify the atmosphere by emitting and absorbing gases (carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, and the like) and dust.
3 Soils provide habitat for animals that live in the soil (such as groundhogs and mice) to organisms (such as bacteria and fungi), that account for most of the living things on Earth.
4 Soils absorb, hold, release, alter, and purify most of the water in terrestrial systems.
5 Soils process recycled nutrients, including carbon, so that living things can use them over and over again.
6 Soils serve as engineering media for construction of foundations, roadbeds, dams and buildings, and preserve or destroy artifacts of human endeavors.
7 Soils act as a living filter to clean water before it moves into an aquifer.
Soil Formation is influenced by 5 interrelated factors:
“Each soil has had its own history.
Like a river, a mountain, a forest, or any natural thing,
its present condition is due to the influences
of many things and events of the past.”
- Charles Kellogg, The Soils That Support Us, 1956
Like a river, a mountain, a forest, or any natural thing,
its present condition is due to the influences
of many things and events of the past.”
- Charles Kellogg, The Soils That Support Us, 1956
Soil Formation – CLORPT – for short!
Soils differ from one part of the world to another, even from one part of a backyard to another. They differ because of where and how they formed.
Five major factors interact to create different types of soils:
Climate—Temperature and moisture influence the speed of chemical reactions, which in turn help control how fast rocks weather and dead organisms decompose. Soils develop faster in warm, moist climates and slowest in cold or arid ones.
Organisms—Plants root, animals burrow, and bacteria eat – these and other organisms speed up the breakdown of large soil particles into smaller ones. For instance, roots produce carbon dioxide that mixes with water and forms an acid that wears away rock.
Relief or Topography (Landscape)—The shape of the land and the direction it faces make a difference in how much sunlight the soils gets and how much water it keeps. Deeper soils form at the bottom of a hill because gravity and water move soil particles down the slope.
Parent material—Every soil “inherits” traits from the parent material from which it formed. For example, soils that form from limestone are rich in calcium and soils that form from materials at the bottom of lakes are high in clay. Every soil formed from parent material deposited at the Earth’s surface. The material could have been bedrock that weathered in place or smaller materials carried by flooding rivers, moving glaciers, or blowing winds. Parent material is changed through biological, chemical and environmental processes, such as weathering and erosion.
Time—All of these factors work together over time. Older soils differ from younger soils because they have had longer to develop. As soil ages, it starts to look different from its parent material. That is because soil is dynamic. Its components—minerals, water, air, organic matter, and organisms—constantly change. Components are added and lost. Some move from place to place within the soil, while some components are totally changed or transformed.
Five major factors interact to create different types of soils:
Climate—Temperature and moisture influence the speed of chemical reactions, which in turn help control how fast rocks weather and dead organisms decompose. Soils develop faster in warm, moist climates and slowest in cold or arid ones.
Organisms—Plants root, animals burrow, and bacteria eat – these and other organisms speed up the breakdown of large soil particles into smaller ones. For instance, roots produce carbon dioxide that mixes with water and forms an acid that wears away rock.
Relief or Topography (Landscape)—The shape of the land and the direction it faces make a difference in how much sunlight the soils gets and how much water it keeps. Deeper soils form at the bottom of a hill because gravity and water move soil particles down the slope.
Parent material—Every soil “inherits” traits from the parent material from which it formed. For example, soils that form from limestone are rich in calcium and soils that form from materials at the bottom of lakes are high in clay. Every soil formed from parent material deposited at the Earth’s surface. The material could have been bedrock that weathered in place or smaller materials carried by flooding rivers, moving glaciers, or blowing winds. Parent material is changed through biological, chemical and environmental processes, such as weathering and erosion.
Time—All of these factors work together over time. Older soils differ from younger soils because they have had longer to develop. As soil ages, it starts to look different from its parent material. That is because soil is dynamic. Its components—minerals, water, air, organic matter, and organisms—constantly change. Components are added and lost. Some move from place to place within the soil, while some components are totally changed or transformed.
“Essentially, all life depends upon the soil ... There can be no life without soil and no soil without life; they have evolved together.”
- Charles E. Kellogg, USDA Yearbook of Agriculture, 1938
- Charles E. Kellogg, USDA Yearbook of Agriculture, 1938
Pedology, the study of soil, is a unique discipline.
Well-trained soil scientists are in high demand for a wide array of professional positions with public agencies or private firms. Here are some specific examples of positions held by soil science graduates:
- Wetland Specialist
- Watershed Technician
- Hydrologist with Board of Health
- Environmental Technician
- State Soil and Water Quality Specialist
- Soil Conservationist
- County Agricultural Agent
- Landscaping Business
- Farming
- On-site Evaluation
- Crop Consultant
- Soil Scientist, Mapping and Interpretation, U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Research Gechnician
- Conservation Planner
- District Marketing Manager for an Agricultural Firm
- County Conservationist
- Crop Production Specialist
- Research Scientist
Where do you find soil career opportunities?
Soil Science Society of America - http://www.soils.org/
U.S. Consortium of Soil Science Associations - http://soilsassociation.org
Office of Personnel Management - http://www.usajobs.gov
Soil Science Society of America - http://www.soils.org/
U.S. Consortium of Soil Science Associations - http://soilsassociation.org
Office of Personnel Management - http://www.usajobs.gov
