Warnell School of Forest Resources Soil Management Bryan McElvany Research Coordinator Warnell School of Forest Resources Patrick Davies

Soil Management Limitations to some sort of land use are generally due to a combination of three main factors. Soil Chemical Characteristics – chemical types, nutrient supply, pH, and others. Soil Physical Characteristics – soil texture, soil structure, soil density, and others. Site Factors – slope, water table, location, and others.

Soil Erosion

Soil Erosion Erosion is the wearing away of material by wind, water, ice, or other geologic agents. Three main types of erosion. Sheet erosion – the removal of a uniform thin layer of soil. Rill erosion – numerous and randomly occurring small channels are formed. Gully erosion – removal of soil from a narrow area to considerable depths where water accumulates.

Soil Erosion

Soil Erosion by Water

Soil Erosion by Wind

Soil and Water

Soil Drainage Soil drainage is affected by soil physical properties including soil texture and structure. Drainage is also affected by depth to water table.

Soil Drainage Class Refers to the frequency and duration of periods of saturation in the soil. Excessively drained Somewhat excessively drained Well drained Moderately well drained Somewhat poorly drained Poorly drained Very poorly drained

Hydric Soils and Wetlands Wetland is defined as an area with wetland hydrology, hydrophytic vegetation, and hydric soils. (must have all 3) A hydric soil is one that formed under periods of saturation long enough during the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions. Without oxygen, iron does not rust. This leads to gray colors. That gray color is one way to define a hydric soil.

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