Agr, Lndscp & Envir: Soil Morph and Land Use

Field techniques that describe soil properties, formation, and classification. The principles and processes of soil genesis, land use classification systems, and land use challenges. Prerequisite: ALE 2610 or Instructor permission.

Prereqs enforced by system: PSS/ALE 2610 Open to degree and PACE students

The Soil Morphology, Classification and Land Use course allows students to become more adept at describing soils in the field (morphology) as well as classifying soils (taxonomy) and understanding how and why different types of soils have formed in a particular location and how they might be expected to ‘behave’ or ‘perform.’ The course also applies these concepts to approaches to predictive soil mapping. Most of our classes (September through November) operate as ‘labs’ and are held at sites around Chittenden County. These classes expose students to distinct soils characteristic of this region and allow students to develop their skills of soil description. We also have one day-long field trip to observe several soils of Central Vermont. In addition, we use our indoor class time (November and December) to learn some laboratory methods relevant to soil classification and to become familiar with approaches of soil micromorphology and mineral analysis. Key texts for this course are the Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils, the Soil Survey Manual, and the Keys to Soil Taxonomy, all of which can be accessed for free online or will be provided during class time. This course uses software like Web Soil Survey, ArcGIS and R, though you don’t need to have experience with these prior to taking the course.