ARS | Publication request: SAMPLING DYNAMIC SOIL PROPERTIES FOR SOIL SURVEYS AND STATE-AND-TRANSITION MODELS: BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: December 19, 2003
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Soil change information is needed by today's decision makers for a variety of management goals, including short and long-term productivity, economics, sustainability, and environmental quality. However, soil survey databases do not provide information about the historical or expected dynamics of soil properties that change in response to management and disturbances. Sampling methods for bulk density, salinity, pH, soil surface stability, canopy cover and canopy gap were tested during soil survey activities at Big Bend National Park. State-and-transition models for ecological sites were used to select sampling sites and provide a framework to illustrate relationships among data. Procedures and results will be presented. The soil survey map unit component can serve as the data carrier for soil information related to changes in function and hence, to states within an ecological site. Inclusion of state-dependent dynamic soil property values will enhance information on soil-vegetation dynamics within ecological site descriptions, add value to soil surveys, aid the interpretation of assessment and monitoring results, and increase our knowledge of soil change.