1. Iowa Soils “The soil is the great connector of lives, the source and destination of all. It is the healer and restorers and resurrector, by which disease is passed into health, age into youth, death into life. Without proper care for it we can have no community, because without proper care for it we can have no life” -Wendell Berry, The Unsettling of America

2. Geosphere Crust approx 25 miles deep Interaction with climate – Sedimentary rock Deposits, compression, and cementing of small particles of mineral, small animals, and plants – Igneous rock Molten magma cools and solidifies – Metamorphic rock Mineral changes in the rock without the rock itself melting (heat and pressure)

3. Obsidian :Igneous rock Iron Ore: Sedimentary Rock Andesite: Metamorphic Rock

4. Present is Key to Past Glaciation Shallow Seas Rift Valleys Devonian Fossil Gorge: Johnson County, Iowa City (405) » Iowa's Simple Pleasures with Dan Kaercher » Iowa Public Television Devonian Fossil Gorge: Johnson County, Iowa City (405) » Iowa's Simple Pleasures with Dan Kaercher » Iowa Public Television

5. Soil “unconsolidated surface material of earth that supports plant life” – Parent material – Climate – Soil biota – Topography – Time (takes approx. 250 – 1000 yrs/1 inch of soil)

6. Foundation Mineral Living and non – living organic matter

7. Classified Main parent material Size of mineral particles

8. Clay Soil Microscopic, flattened mineral particles Pack closely together when wet Little space for air or water Sticky feel

9. Sandy Soil Large round particles Large spaces for air and water, does not hold water well Loses soil and nutrients quickly

10. Silty Soil Intermediate between clay and sand Can hold some nutrients, good flow of water Feels smooth

11. Loam Ratio of silt, sand, and clay Sustains plants and resists erosion

12. Habitat and Construction Plants are affected by drainage Suitable building sites – Sewage and wastewater – Septic system or leachfield Percolation test

13. Soil Stories “Recipe for soils” (part A) – Divide into teams of two – Each team will analyze different soil samples Materials: Soil Investigation worksheet, Hand Shovel, Ziploc Bag, Toothpicks (4), Hand lens, Glass jar w/lid – Collect sample, return back to the room. Transfer soil onto white paper Examine the soil by sorting out the soil particles into different materials Answer Questions #1 and #2 (Part A) in Journal

14. Soil Stories “Soil Shake” (part A) – Label a glass jar with member of your team – Place ½ cup of soil into a jar – Add to cups of water (What do you think is going to happen?) – Put a lid on the jar and shake the jar hard for a couple of minutes. – Allow the jar to settle overnight – Day (2) observe/sketch and answer #3 (in journal)

15. A Soil Mystery (part B) Read the Mystery as a class Divide into teams Complete “Soil Percolation Test” – Record your findings in your journal (#4 a – g)

16. Soil Survey 1. Use a Soil Survey Map (Book) Determine the soil types for our county – List the texture and qualified uses 2. Use the http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/HomePage.htm http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/HomePage.htm – Determine the soil types for where you live – List the texture and qualified uses