Soils

For a list of all technical documents including: Soil Quality Test Kit Guide, Soil Quality Information Sheets, Soil Quality Physical Indicators, and more visit: NRCS Soil Health Resources

Rangeland Soil Quality Information Documents (NRCS):
Introduction
Indicators for Assessment and Monitoring
Aggregate Stability
Compaction
Infiltration
Organic Matter
Physical and Biological Soil Crusts
Soil Biota
Water Erosion
Wind Erosion

Guide to Soil Texture by Feel (NRCS)

The Color of Soil (NRCS)

Building Healthy Rangeland Soil

California State Soil

Twelve Orders of Soil Taxonomy

The GLOBE Program is an ” international science and education program that provides students and the public worldwide with the opportunity to participate in data collection and the scientific process, and contribute meaningfully to our understanding of the Earth system and global environment.”

Soil data (investigation of pedosphere) is part of their program. They have compiled a set of documents and protocols on how to measure relevant soil characteristics and evaluate soil quality for their project.

GLOBE Soil Introduction

GLOBE Table of Contents (links to all protocols and learning objectives)

Web Soil Survey

Use this site to investigate local and regional soil maps using data compiled by the NRCS.

Instructions:

Define an “Area of Interest” under the Area of Interest (AOI) tab. The “state and county” and “address” methods are the easiest. Or you can define your AOI by drawing an AOI box (red box in toolbar) over the area of interest.
Click on the “Soil Data Explorer” Tab to investigate soil properties/qualities and ecological site assessments
Click on “Soil Map” to see a soil map of your AOI

NRCS Soils Overview

EPA: Wetlands Protection and Restoration

This includes background on wetlands, the science of wetland monitoring, assessment, and water quality standards, as well as restoration information.

General Overview of Soil Erosion (many pages on this site are under construction, but there is still good overview info)

From the Surface Down: An Introduction to Soil Surveys for Agronomic Use

This USDA/NRCS document includes background on soil horizons and soil formation as well as soil survey information including: soil properties, management interpretations, and general soil information. Lastly, there are illustrated instructions on how to use the “Web Soil Survey” mentioned above.

CA Water and Land Use Partnership: Low Impact Development Fact Sheet

Urban Design Tools: Low Impact Development Soil Amendments

Northern Nevada Low Impact Development: Soil Considerations

Estimating Soil Texture by Feel (by Dr. Dirt)

CA State Soil: San Joaquin Series (by Soil Science Society of America)

Soil pH: What it Means (SUNY)

Carbon Sequestration and Soils (ESA)

Video Resources:

Soil Health and Production Benefits of Mob Grazing

Understanding Soil Quality Impacts on Soil Functions and Other Resource Concerns

Integrating Livestock into a Cropping System for Sustainability and Soil Health