Use Of Soil Information Research Articles

Classification and Digital Mapping of Soils in a Semiarid Region of Afghanistan

A soil map provides information on soil spatial distribution. Such information is essential for effective use of soil resources for crop production, land evaluation, spatial planning, environmental control, and for other similar purposes. In this study, a digital soil map for a semiarid region of Afghanistan was developed. This map contains soil taxonomic information up to the subgroup level, which is the first such attempt in Afghanistan. A total of 114 soil samples were collected in and around the Khost Province through an intensive soil survey. The collected samples were classified into 14 subgroups of soils, following the USDA soil classification system. A soil land inference model (SoLIM) was applied for mapping the recognized 14 soil subgroups digitally, via an expert knowledge-based fuzzy soil inference scheme, with surface topography and other spatial data as inputs. The overall accuracies from the error matrix and Kappa statistics were 0.74 and 0.71, respectively. This map was also compared with the currently used soil map. A general agreement between the two maps was found in the spatial distribution of soil classes, at the great group level. However, the newly developed map contains more detailed information on soils, which might be useful for the advanced use of soil information, for example, to better determine the crop type for cultivation by considering the detailed soil properties. Throughout this study, 14 different recognized classes of soil subgroups were digitally mapped in the study area.

Microbial soil community analyses for forensic science: Application to a blind test

Soil complexity, heterogeneity and transferability make it valuable in forensic investigations to help obtain clues as to the origin of an unknown sample, or to compare samples from a suspect or object with samples collected at a crime scene. In a few countries, soil analysis is used in matters from site verification to estimates of time after death. However, up to date the application or use of soil information in criminal investigations has been limited. In particular, comparing bacterial communities in soil samples could be a useful tool for forensic science. To evaluate the relevance of this approach, a blind test was performed to determine the origin of two questioned samples (one from the mock crime scene and the other from a 50:50 mixture of the crime scene and the alibi site) compared to three control samples (soil samples from the crime scene, from a context site 25m away from the crime scene and from the alibi site which was the suspect’s home). Two biological methods were used, Ribosomal Intergenic Spacer Analysis (RISA), and 16S rRNA gene sequencing with Illumina Miseq, to evaluate the discriminating power of soil bacterial communities. Both techniques discriminated well between soils from a single source, but a combination of both techniques was necessary to show that the origin was a mixture of soils. This study illustrates the potential of applying microbial ecology methodologies in soil as an evaluative forensic tool.

Are Australian and United States Farmers Using Soil Information for Soil Health Management?

Soil health is an essential requirement of a sustainable, functioning agroecosystem. Tracking soil health to determine sustainability at the local level largely falls to farmers, even though they often lack access to critical information. We examine farmers’ participation in gathering soil information at the farm and paddock scale over the last two decades in Australia and the United States, by reviewing national-level reporting of farmer use of soil testing and farm planning as well as qualitative research on farmer perspectives. The level of participation in soil testing and farm planning has remained stable in the last two decades, with only 25% and 30% of landholders, respectively, participating nationally, in either country. The review revealed national-level reporting has a number of limitations in understanding farmers’ use of soil information and, in particular, fails to indicate the frequency and intensity of soil testing as well as farmer motivation to test soil or what they did with the soil information. The main use of soil testing is often stated as “determining fertilizer requirements”, yet data show soil testing is used less commonly than is customary practice. In Australia and in the United States, customary practice is three and half times more likely for decisions on fertilizer application levels. The rhetoric is heavy on the use of soil testing as a decision tool, and that it guides best practices. However, given that only a quarter of farmers are soil testing, and doing so infrequently and in low densities, the level of information on soil health is poor. While farmers report consistent monitoring of soil conditions, few have consistent records of such. In contrast to the information on the poor state of soil health, there is strong farmer interest in procuring soil health benefits through changes in farm practices such as conservation tillage or cover crops, even if they are unable to demonstrate these soil health benefits through soil testing. Many farmers report the use of observation in lieu of laboratory testing. Finally, we point to the need for soil information to include observational indicators to best allow a blend of traditional extension strategies with digital technology to create communities of interest in soil management. This would transcend the boundaries between those with expertise and those with experience in soil health management.

Historical highlights in American soil science — Prehistory to the 1970s

Interest in understanding America's soils goes back to prehistory with the Native Americans. Following European settlement, notable individuals such as Thomas Jefferson and Lewis and Clark made observations of the soil resource. Moving into the 1800s, state geological surveys became involved in soil work and E.W. Hilgard started to formulate ideas similar to those that would eventually lead to V.V. Dokuchaev being recognized as the father of modern soil science. However, Hilgard's advanced ideas on soil genesis were not accepted by the wider American soil science community at the time. Moving into the 1900s, the National Cooperative Soil Survey, the first nationally organized detailed soil survey in the world, was founded under the direction of M. Whitney. Initial soil classification ideas were heavily based in geology, but over time Russian ideas of soil genesis and classification moved into the American soil science community, mainly due to the influence of C.F. Marbut. Early American efforts at the scientific study of soil erosion and soil fertility were also begun in the 1910s and university programs to educate soil scientists started. Soil erosion studies took on high priority in the 1930s as the USA was impacted by the Dust Bowl. Soil Taxonomy, one of the most widely utilized soil classification systems in the world, was developed from the 1950s through the 1970s under the guidance of G.D. Smith and with the administrative support of C.E. Kellogg. American soil scientists, such as H. Jenny, R.W. Simonson, D.L. Johnson, and D. Watson-Stegner, developed influential models of soil genesis during the 20th Century, and the use of soil information moved beyond agriculture to include issues such as land-use planning, soil geomorphology, and the interactions between soils and human health.

Soil Matters: Improving Forest Landscape Planning and Management for Diverse Objectives with Soils Information and Expertise

Most forest managers would agree that soils are a fundamental resource of forestlands, yet many planning and management decisions continue to be made without a detailed and spatially explicit understanding of this unique and vital resource. We discuss the value of soil data and interpretations in forest planning. We emphasize that soil types differ widely in their inherent capacity to perform various ecological functions as well as in their dynamic response to and recovery from disturbances—concepts that can greatly enhance the quality of forest management decisions. We make a case for applying these concepts by introducing an adaptive management model that targets the use of soil information during forest planning and management. Our goal is to help bridge the gap between soil science and decisionmaking by helping forest managers better understand the value of soil information in project planning. A case study highlights applications and potential benefits.

Is the Traditional Pedologic Definition of Soil Meaningful in the Modern Context?

The definition of soil is an important part of communication about soil, and it is important to have effective communication with other scientists, politicians, an interested public, and others with an interest in utilizing soil information. Initially soil science was focused primarily on agricultural applications, but in recent decades the use of soil information has expanded to include areas like land use planning, environmental applications, human health, and food, water, and energy security. Pedologists now include urban and other anthropogenically disturbed environments in their studies in addition to the traditional natural and agro-ecosystems. With these expansions in the application of soil information it is natural that some have raised the question of whether a new definition of soil is needed. Here we investigate that question by exploring whether the traditional pedologic definition of soil is meaningful in the modern world, with its expanded applications for soil knowledge. The current pedologic definition of soil includes the following key elements: (i) soils are natural bodies, (ii) soils are both spatial and temporal, (iii) soils form at the surface, (iv) soils are the result of complex biogeochemical and physical processes, (v) soils are capable of supporting life, and (vi) soils can be mapped at appropriate scales. We conclude that a definition that includes the six key elements listed above, with perhaps some minor modifications, is able to incorporate the expanded applications of soil information in the modern world.

Forest soils education and research: Trends, needs, and wild ideas

Requirements of an excellent forestry education have changed. Students are now required to complete more quantitative, social science and humanities courses. There are cogent reasons for this, but it has resulted in a marked decrease in the emphasis being placed on the land. Only 15% of the North American forestry schools require geology or geomorphology, while 15% have it as a recommended elective. Thus, as many as two-thirds of forestry graduates may be geologically illiterate! Ninety percent of US forestry schools require a soils course, but only 50% require forest soils. All Canadian forestry schools require both soils and forest soils. While this erosion of emphasis placed on the soil resource has taken place in education, the use of soils information in natural resource management has dramatically increased. Many organizations are increasing the intensity of forest management and moving toward the domesticated forest, which requires more knowledge of forest soils. All natural resource professionals need a firm understanding of the land and the processes that shape it. Nineteenth century forest soils research was basic and in the 20th century it was largely empirical. The 21st century requires a balanced mix of basic and applied research with more integration with other natural resource disciplines. Many principles remain to be elucidated, but in some areas descriptive research is still necessary. The establishment of long-term regional data sets that can be used in testing hypotheses to be translated into management guidelines should be a priority. Planning tools must be developed so that the best knowledge can be applied to management. In both research and planning, science rather than politics must set the agenda. We need to teach students the full range of soil management possibilities including active management as well as conservation and preservation. We must ‘bust’ our conceptual blocks in both education and research. We do not need more education; we need better education. Forest soils research needs to utilize emerging remote sensing technology both to improve our research efforts and to aid in land management planning. Remote sensing, GIS, and GPS technology can revolutionize silvicultural research, but we may need to alter our research paradigm to take advantage of it. We are too often prisoners of our past. We, those of us in education, government agencies, industry, and NGOs, must learn to work together or we will not meet the challenges of the new century.

Use of soil information to determine application of ground penetrating radar : J. A. Doolittle & M. E. Collins, Journal of Applied Geophysics, 33(1–3), 1995, pp 101–108

Use of soil information to determine application of ground penetrating radar : J. A. Doolittle & M. E. Collins, Journal of Applied Geophysics, 33(1–3), 1995, pp 101–108

Quantifying soil variability in GIS applications I. Estimates of position

Abstract Geographical information systems (GIS) commonly make use of soil information which consists of soil maps, descriptive text, and tables of attribute values. However for optimal use, published soil maps first need to be digitized and registered and subsequently the variability associated with tabular soil attribute information needs to be quantified. Validity of individual field observations depends on combined accuracy of an attribute estimate, sampling position location, and interpolation or extrapolation error among measured values. In this paper (part I), we evaluate the accuracy of sampling position location by comparing Global Positioning System (GPS) field measured values with visual estimates obtained from aerial photographs. Results indicate that such visual estimates of position, registered using standard procedures, can be in considerable error. We concluded, that best estimates of position on a GIS map are obtained when coordinates of position are computed from kriged estimates, or a pr...

Use of soil information to determine application of ground penetrating radar

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) has been used as a pedologic tool in the United States since 1978. The National Cooperative Soil Survey Program has used GPR to assess properties of soils which affect their use, management, and classification. Principal uses have been to estimate the variability and taxonomic composition of soils, chart the lateral extent, and estimate the depth and thickness of soil horizons and geologic layers and to map and interpret soils. All soils are not equally suited to GPR techniques. Soil maps and taxonomic descriptions contained in published soil survey reports can be used to assess the suitability of soils and sites for GPR applications In addition, the criteria used to define and classify the soil can be used to aid interpretations of radar imagery.

Use of soil information to determine application of ground penetrating radar

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) has been used as a pedologic tool in the United States since 1978. The National Cooperative Soil Survey Program has used GPR to assess properties of soils which affect their use, management, and classification. Principal uses have been to estimate the variability and taxonomic composition of soils, chart the lateral extent, and estimate the depth and thickness of soil horizons and geologic layers and to map and interpret soils. All soils are not equally suited to GPR techniques. Soil maps and taxonomic descriptions contained in published soil survey reports can be used to assess the suitability of soils and sites for GPR applications In addition, the criteria used to define and classify the soil can be used to aid interpretations of radar imagery.

Adoption of innovations by foresters: a case study of forest soils information in New Hampshire

Identifying the factors that influence foresters to adopt management innovations is essential for developing models that accurately forecast the rate at which new technology will be adopted. Models were developed to evaluate the impact of sociodemographic characteristics, attitudes, and structural–external variables on New Hampshire foresters' decisions to adopt three distinct soil information sources. The soil information sources studied were County Soil Surveys, Important Forest Soils Groups, and Leak's Habitat Classification System. Discriminant analytic models were developed and evaluated for each information source. Information on use and other variables were collected by a mail survey with a response rate of approximately 60%. The results reveal that structural variables exerted the greatest influence on adoption decisions, while sociodemographic characteristics were the least important. College and noncollege sources of information about the innovations were the most important variables in the discriminant models. Other significant structural variables included employer, prior use of soils information, and participation in continuing education. All three models correctly classified more than 75% of the respondents, with one model classifying more than 90%. The difference in accuracy may be attributed to differences in information access among the three soils information sources.

CONCEPTS, OBJECTIVES AND STRUCTURE OF THE CANADA SOIL INFORMATION SYSTEM

A computerized soil information system has been established in Canada as a tool for making more efficient use of soil information. Its purpose is to characterize and quantify soil and land units, as a basis for providing decision makers with a better appreciation of the actual environment and the relationships between man and the land. The system is both national and provincial, consists of a collection of individual but mutually related, computer-oriented files, and handles site specific, geographic and evaluative data.

Use of Soils Information in Woodland Management

Use of Soils Information in Woodland Management

The Use of Soils Information on the Central Valley Project, California

Soil Science Society of America JournalVolume 5, Issue C p. 366-371 Miscellaneous Paper The Use of Soils Information on the Central Valley Project, California† Walter W. Weir, Walter W. WeirSearch for more papers by this authorR. Earl Storie, R. Earl Storie Drainage Engineer and Associate Soil Technologist, respectively.Search for more papers by this author Walter W. Weir, Walter W. WeirSearch for more papers by this authorR. Earl Storie, R. Earl Storie Drainage Engineer and Associate Soil Technologist, respectively.Search for more papers by this author First published: 01 January 1941 https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1941.036159950005000C0070x ‡ Contribution from the Division of Soils, University of California, Berkeley, Calif. AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Volume5, IssueC1941Pages 366-371 RelatedInformation

The metallurgical arts at the Paris exhibition

The soil science community needs to communicate about soils and the use of soil information to various audiences, especially to the general public and public authorities. In this global review article, we synthesis information pertaining to museums solely dedicated to soils or which contain a permanent exhibition on soils. We identified 38 soil museums specifically dedicated to soils, 34 permanent soil exhibitions, and 32 collections about soils that are accessible by appointment. We evaluate the growth of the number of museums since the early 1900s, their geographical distribution, their contents, and their attendance. The number of museums has been continuously growing since the early 1900s. A noticeable increase was observed from 2015 to 2019. Europe (in a geographical sense), Eastern and South-East Asia have the highest concentration of soil museums and permanent exhibitions related to soils. Most of the museums' attendance ranged from 1000 to 10,000 visitors per year. Russia has the largest number of soil monoliths exhibited across the world's museums, whereas the ISRIC-World Soil Museum has the richest and the most diverse collection of soil monoliths. Museums, collections, and exhibitions of soil play an important role in educating the population about this finite natural resource that maintains life on the planet, and for this reason, they must be increasingly supported, extended, and protected.