ARS | Publication request: Soil Genesis and Development, Lesson 1

Submitted to: Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: September 4, 2009
Publication Date: October 15, 2009
Citation: Geiss, C., Mamo, M., Kettler, T., Ippolito, J.A., Reuter, R., Mccallister, D., Zanner, W., Morner, P., Soester, J. 2009. Soil Genesis and Development, Lesson 1 - Rocks and Minerals. Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education. 38:238.

Interpretive Summary: This on-line, interactive lesson developed by Geiss et al. (http://plantandsoil.unl.edu/croptechnology2005/soil_sci/?what=topicsD&topicOrder=1&informationModuleId=1130447023) introduces users in classifying rocks based on visual characteristics according to the major types: igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary; and shows how to predict the influence of “parent” rock on soil properties. The lesson is written to target lower-level undergraduate student educational needs and is available for use by the general public.

Technical Abstract: All soil ultimately forms from rocks or their weathering products. Geologists classify rocks according to their origins. General rock types can weather to give soils with distinctive properties. The objectives of this lesson are: 1. To be able to classify rocks based on visual characteristics according to the major types: igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary; and 2. To predict the influence of “parent” rock on soil properties. The lesson is written to target educational needs of lower-level undergraduate students and is open for use by the public and educational institutions. Depending on the goals and objectives of a course, training, or workshop, part or all sections of the lesson could be used. Website available at: http://plantandsoil.unl.edu/croptechnology2005/soil_sci/?what=topicsD&topicOrder=1&informationModuleId=1130447023