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ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Range Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #410205
Research Project: Science and Technologies for the Sustainable Management of Western Rangeland Systems

Location: Range Management Research

Title: Deciding when field soil verification is worth the effort: A simple decision support tool for farmers, ranchers and natural resource scientists

Author
item Herrick, Jeffrey
item MAYNARD, JONATHAN - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS, USDA)
item Bestelmeyer, Brandon
item CAREY, CHELSEA - Conservation Science Partners
item SALLEY, SHAWN - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS, USDA)
item SHEPHERD, KEITH - Laser For Innovative Solutions (L4IS)
item STEWART, ZACHARY - Us Agency For International Development (USAID)
item WILLS, SKYE - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS, USDA)
item ZIADAT, FERAS - Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Submitted to: Soil Science Society of America Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/1/2023
Publication Date: 11/1/2023
Citation: Herrick, J.E., Maynard, J.J., Bestelmeyer, B.T., Carey, C., Salley, S.W., Shepherd, K.D., Stewart, Z., Wills, S., Ziadat, F.M. 2023. Deciding when field soil verification is worth the effort: A simple decision support tool for farmers, ranchers and natural resource scientists. Soil Science Society of America Annual Meeting. Abstract.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: This poster provides practical guidance for determining when it is – and is not – worth considering soil variability when making land management decisions and designing experiments. It presents a two-part framework that can be used by farmers, ranchers, land use planners and natural resource scientists to determine whether or not it is worth modifying management in different parts of a field, pasture, watershed or region based on differences in soil properties and processes. The “prepare” part of the tool includes five steps: defining the management or restoration area, defining the objective or objectives, identifying key soil and topographic properties and defining functionally significant variability based on the objectives and costs of modifying management across the area, acquiring soil maps and other soil information, and accessing relevant local and scientific knowledge. The second, “decide” part of the tool includes seven questions, which are designed to determine whether or not management should be modified based on variability of key soil properties and, if so, whether it is worth collecting additional soil information. The decision tool is presented in a figure and illustrated by a practical irrigation scheduling example.