2006 AREA  IV  ENVIROTHON  SOILS  TEST  STUDY  GUIDE  (1-23-06)

The study references listed are not an exhaustive list of sources from which test questions are drawn. Students are expected to research other sources for more information according to the learning objectives for this topic.

The following list of topics is a summary of key terms, soil interpretive tables, narrative sections and soil map unit and series descriptions from the Soil Survey of Shelby County which participants in the 2006 Envirothon Competition should concentrate their study time to prepare for the soils questions on the test. A few pages taken from the web site: http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/

Please note change of soil types listed below. Correction ocurred on March 20, 2006. Please call your SWCD office if you have any questions regarding this change. Key soil types: The following soil types should be reviewed: Remember the Soil Survey is a reference book. Participants should be familiar with the soil map unit descriptions (beginning on page 6) for the following map units: CeB, CrA, Md, MhF, MoB, OcA, St and WdA, and the soil series descriptions (beginning on page 47 of the Soil Survey) for the following soils: Celina, Crosby, Eldean, Miamian, Shoals, Stonelick and Warsaw. The type of information given in these descriptions is set up systematically. The information is given in the same order in each description. For example, the “included soils” are listed in the third paragraph of the map unit descriptions. Once a person knows this, they can locate it much more quickly.

Soils data covered in the tables should be reviewed by each participant prior to the event. For example. The Building Site Development in Table 7 (pages 88 to 90) should be familiar to the participant. This review should include what kinds of information is in the various columns of the tables? Know where to find it! The first step, look up the appropriate table needed. Seventeen “Tables" of soils data are inserted in the manuscript between pages 84 and 119. Participants are advised to look at these tables and be familiar with the type of data in them. The tables listed below will be most useful for this event: Tables numbered: 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15. Learn what these interpretations may be used for, and how to refer to them efficiently.

Narrative Sections

The Table of Contents lists all the narrative sections in the soil survey.   For example, the section entitled, "Formation of Soils" begins on page 64.  The following narrative sections will be most useful on this event:

Soils map fo detailed planning  p.  6
Living Organisms and Topography  p.  64; 

General Soil Map Units  p.  4

Use and Management of Soils   p.  34

Crops and pasture p.  35

Water Management   p. 40

Recreation   p. 41

Wildlife habitat  p. 42

Engineering properties  p.  43

Soils properties  p.  43

Factors of Soil Formation  p. 64

Terminology 

The following terminology will be useful on this event:  found in the "Glossary":

A few of these terms will appear in the Narrative Sections listed above.  If so, pay extra attention to this information.

Map unit descriptions: 
When studying these descriptions you will notice the following general contents:

          Paragraph # 1 -- land form, typical size of map units, etc

          Paragraph #2 -- composition or typical soil profile description

          Paragraph #3 -- included soils

          Paragraph #4 -- a discussion of key soil properties important to land use

          Paragraph #5 -- potential for various land uses

The following web sites will also be helpful: on hydric soils: http://soils.usda.gov/use/hydric/ntchs/tech_notes/note1.html
Read definition
Review the sections: Criteria, Indicators and Introduction.

The following web site will be helpful on soil quality: http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/

(1) Scroll to “Soil Quality Concepts” and click on "What Soil Does"
(2) Go back and click on"Soil Quality Management:" and scroll to “Six Main Components” clcik and print these pages for reference.

Click on the following link and print the "Growing Carbon, A New Crop that Helps Agricultural Producers and Climate Too" brochure and study it.
http://www.swcs.org/documents/Carbon_Brochure_033005153750.pdf

Visit this link: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/ecs/agecol/conquest.html and click on the pdf "Conquest of the Land Through 7000 years" (Full Print Version) and print pages 4 through 8. Read sections, "Graveyard of Empires," "In Egypt's Land," and "The land of Milk and Honey."

Good luck on your preparations for the 2006 Area IV Envirothon!

George Derringer, Resource Soil Scientist, NRCS, Englewood, Ohio