ARS | Publication request: Sampling dynamic soil properties and vegetation for soil survey and ecological site descriptions

Submitted to: Society for Range Management Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: February 1, 2007
Publication Date: February 9, 2007
Citation: Tugel, A., Ward, J., Herrick, J.E., Biggam, P., Hipple, K., Ypsilantes, B., Davis, R. 2007. Sampling dynamic soil properties and vegetation for soil survey and ecological site descriptions [abstract]. Society for Range Management, 60th Annual Meeting and Trade Show, February 9-16, 2007, Reno/Sparks, Nevada. Paper No. 444. 2007 CDROM.

Technical Abstract: Dynamic soil property data can be collected during soil survey updates to add value to soil survey products and meet users needs for ecological site descriptions. Producers and land managers need information about soil and ecosystem change in order to plan for long-term productivity, conduct monitoring and assessments, and predict management effects on soil. Data collection technologies that can be used in the soil survey program are, however, not fully developed. A cooperative effort to develop sampling guidelines was initiated in 2004. NRCS is developing guidelines in cooperation with the Jornada Experimental Range (ARS), National Park Service, Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. The guide for Sampling Dynamic Soil Properties integrates soil and vegetation data collection and interpretation. The guide emphasizes functionally important properties, field methods, and efficiency.