Soils 100 Information
SOILS
100 - SOIL JUDGING
Fall 1999 Semester
1 credit
INSTRUCTOR:
Brian Needelman
Office: 447 ASI
Building
OFFICE HOURS:
M 2:45-3:45 and by appointment
Phone:
(O) 865-0297
(H) 861-1361
E-mail: ban127@psu.edu
BOOK: Download the Soil Judging Manual in PDF format. (Get Adobe Acrobat Reader here.)
DESCRIPTION:
Soil Judging is a field-oriented course
that focuses on the techniques used to
(1)
describe soil morphology, and site and profile characteristics, (2) make land
use interpretations based on soil characteristics and (3) classify soils.
This
class was originally designed to prepare students for the Collegiate Soil
Judging Contests. Over time, it has
grown in scope: students enroll in
the class for field practice as well as to participate in the contest.
This semester, there is a formal contest. We will go to Bucks County, PA
for the Regional Soil Judging Contest. The contest is on Oct. 16th, but we will
leave on the previous Tuesday or Wednesday. All the expenses for the trip are
covered by the Agronomy Dept.
From
this course, students will learn the basics of soil description and evaluation
through active participation and hands-on field experiences.
I encourage you to read the handout materials in advance to better
understand the concepts being taught.
GOALS:
During this course, students
will:
1.
Develop an appreciation for soil characteristics and variability
2.
Prepare to participate in the Penn State Soils Judging Team
3.
Develop skills necessary to describe soils in the field
4.
Learn to write and interpret soil descriptions
Students
who successfully complete the course will be able to:
1.
Recognize and describe basic soil morphology (color, texture and rock
fragment content, structure, consistence, redoximorphic features, and
horizonation) using standard terminology;
2.
Describe site characteristics (slope, slope profile, landform, parent
material, and surface runoff);
3.
Infer selected soil characteristics from the morphological and site
descriptions (saturated hydraulic conductivity of the surface and limiting
horizons, effective rooting depth, soil water retention difference, and soil
drainage class);
4.
Identify diagnostic surface and subsurface soil horizons, classify soils
to the great group level, and particle size family according to the basics of
Soil Taxonomy;
5.
Make general interpretations for soil suitability for use as septic tank
absorption fields, dwellings with basements, local roads and streets.
EXPECTATIONS:
This is a one credit course. Since
it will be taught during half of the semester, the work will be intensive during
this time span.