Evaluation Sourcebook (.pdf) - School of Natural Resources and ...

INTRODUCTION OBJECTIVES THREATS ASSETS STRATEGIESNutrient content (nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, etc.)Mineral content (parent material)pH or pH buffering capacityX What is the condition of soil health?Has soil fertility increased? Have soils recovered from previous use?Is soil condition supporting biodiversity? Leaf litter depthBiological activity (respiration, decomposition rates)Nutrient availability: Ca, P, Si, NCation exchange capacityLeachingSediment export to stream drainage or groundwaterOrganic matter (amount, quality index)Quality and amount of vegetationMicrobial community compositionMicrobial biomassSoil invertebratesProductivity maintained during period of shortage (e.g. drought)Percent plant cover after disturbanceData sources• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) soils site:http://soils.usda.gov/• Volunteer group measures of leaf litter depth• Farm records• Soil analysis lab of state universityExampleThe Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), a division of the United StatesDepartment of Agriculture, provides tools, information and resources to help people assesssoil quality and decrease soil erosion. For example, NRCS’ “Soil Quality Test Kit Guide”details the “Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation” so that planners can determine theamount and type of ground covers and structural additions (i.e., sod, mulch, silt fences, haybales…) that are necessary to maintain soil quality and decrease soil erosion and sedimentexport into streams and rivers. In addition to soil on construction sites, NRCS also providesdetailed instructions for how to assess soil quality in other urban and agricultural areas.For more information and descriptions of soil quality indicators see:http://soils.usda.gov/Evaluation Sourcebook 49