2009 SOILS TEST STUDY GUIDE
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 Area IV Envirothon Committee will supply each school with a soil survey. These soil surveys must be returned when arriving at tehc ompetition. A fresh copy of the soil survey will be suplied at the soil station of the event for you to use.
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 Logan County which participants in the 2009 Envirothon Competition should concentrate their study time to prepare for the soils questions on the test. The 1977 version of the Soil Survey of Logan County is used as a reference for this competition.
Soils data covered in the tables listed should be reviewed by each participant prior to the event. For example, Yields per acre of crops and pasture in Table 5 (pages 126 to 129) should be familiar to the participant. This review should include the kind of information available in the various columns of the tables. Know where to find it! The first step, look up the appropriate table needed. Eighteen “Tables" of soils data are included in the manuscript between pages 122 and 181. Participants are advised to look at the tables listed below and be familiar with the type of data in them. The tables listed below will be most useful for this event: Tables numbered: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 13. Learn what these interpretations may be used for, and how to refer to them efficiently.
Narrative Sections
Narrative sections of the "Soil Survey": The Table of "Contents" lists all the narrative sections in the report. For example, the section entitled, "Formation of Soils" begins on page 108. The narrative sections and the page numbers in the report on which they begin which will be most useful on this event are listed below:
- General soil map units…… p. 5-10
- Use and management of soils…p. 55
- Crops and pasture p. 55
- Woodland p. 59
- Wildlife habitat p. 64
- Engineering uses of the soils p. 60-63
- Engineering properties pp. 66
- Descriptions of soils p. 69-99
- Factors of soil formation p. 101-102
Terminology
The following terminology will be useful on this event: found in the "Glossary":
Alluvium |
Horizon |
Available water capacity |
Mottling, soil |
Clay |
Permeability |
Clay film |
Profile, soil |
Consistence |
Sand |
Drainage |
Series, soil |
Erosion |
Silt |
Fragipan |
Solum |
Glacial drift |
Structure, soil |
Glacial outwash |
Subsoil |
Glacial till |
Texture, soil |
|
Water Table |
A few of these terms will appear in the "narrative sections" listed above. If so, pay extra attention to this information.
Map unit descriptions: are located from p. 10-55
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 -- included soils
- Paragraph #3 -- a discussion of key soil properties important to land use
- Paragraph #3 -- potential for various land uses
Good luck on your preparations for the 2009 Area IV Envirothon!
Steve Hamilton, Certified Soil Scientist, Retired ODNR/DSWC