Soils and the Environment: A Guide to Soil Surveys and their Applications

188 Pages·1981·6.74 MB·English

by  Gerald W. Olson (auth.)

SOILS AND
THE ENVIRONMENT
SOILS AND
THE ENVIRONMENT
A Guide to Soil Surveys
and their Applications
Gerald W. Olson
A DOWDEN & CULVER BOOK
CHAPMAN AND HALL
NEW YORK LONDON
First published 1981 by
Chapman and Hali
733 Third Avenue, New York NY 10017
Published in Great Britain by
Chapman and Hali Ltd
11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE
© 1981 Dowden & Culver, Inc.
Softcover reprint of the hardcover 1 st edition 1981
ISBN 978-0-412-23760-7 ISBN 978-94-011-6938-7 (eBook)
DOI 10.1007/978-94-011-6938-7
This title is available in both hardbound and
paperback editions. The paperback edition is sold
subject ta the condition that it shall not, by way of
trade ar otherwise, be lent re-sold, hired out, or
otherwise circulated without the publisher's prior
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that in which it is published and without a similar
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AII rights reserved. No part of this book may be
reprinted, or reproduced or utilized in any form or by
any electronic, mechanical ar other means, now
known or hereafter invented, including
photocopying and recording, ar in any information
storage and retrieval system, without permission in
writing from the Publisher.
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Olson, Gerald W.
Soils and the environment.
Bibliography: p.
Includes index.
1. Soil-surveys. 1. Title.
S592.14.037 641.4'7 81-10067
ISBN 978-0-412-23760-7 AACR2
This book is dedicated to my family -Mary,
Bradford, David, Eric-for their encouragement
and understanding.
FOREWORD
As we enter the last decades of the twentieth century, many persistent and perplexing
problems continue to afflict humankind. Thus it is appropriate to address, in a new group
of books, two of the monumental issues that haunt people throughout the world. Soils
and the Environment by Professor Gerald W. Olson is the first book in this new publish
ing program on Environment, Energy, and Society. The purpose of all these books will be
to explore the many interrelated facets of these topics and to provide guidance for
deal ing with problems and offering ideas for their solutions. Environment and energy are
twin problems that occupy what many believe to be opposite sides of a two-headed coin.
They are often viewed as being antithetical and incompatible. The various books in this
program will try to place in perspective the options that are available to those who design
policy and plan and manage societal matters. Typical of books being developed currently
are ones on coal resources, environmental geoscience, environmental pollution, land-use
planning, nuclear energy, mineral resources, and water resources. However, because soils
are at the very heart of civilization and provide the building block for human sustenance,
it is fitting to inaugurate this series with Dr. Olson's timely analysis of soils. Unfortu
nately, these most vital resources seen. to have low priority in many farming enterprises,
urbanization projects, deforestation schemes, and mining and developmental terrain
changes. Because of this almost universal lack of optimum management, understanding,
and stewardship, these very fragile resources, the soils, are becoming likely candidates for
the endangered species lists. The insights and strategies that Dr. Olson provides can go a
long way toward helping to correct this ignorance.
We are indeed fortunate to have persuaded Professor Olson to write this book. His
extraordinary wide experiences in analyzing soils throughout the world have given him
unusual competence in the discipline of soil science. He has been working in research,
teaching, and extension programs in soils investigations at Cornell University since 1962.
His numerous publications attest to his expertise and ability to interpret soils under
vastly differing climates and terrains. He has worked as a scientist and consultant for
numerous political and governmental agencies, such as the United Nations, U.S. Agency
for I nternational Development, Kansas Geological Survey, and others. H is many foreign
assignments have included investigations in Australia, Brazil, EI Salvador, Guatemala,
vii
viii FOREWORD
Honduras, India, Iran, Italy, the Philippines, Turkey, and Venezuela. Broadly based as it
is on such worldwide knowledge, we are sure you will find Soils and the Environment an
outstanding example of how to cure the present understanding and knowledge gap
involving these most precious materials.
DONALD R. COATES
PREFACE
Soil surveys are being made and published in many areas, but too often they are not used
to the fullest extent. This book provides a base for the expanded application of soil maps
and reports. This publication gives an introduction to soil information through soil profile
descriptions and soil mapping in landscapes; illustrates principles of grouping soils for
practical purposes; and discusses some specific applications, including engineering inter
pretations, land classification, erosion control, yield correlations, archeological considera
tions, and aspects of using soil information in planning for the future. Additional and
improved considerations for uses of soils in landscapes will help greatly in increasing the
long-term productivity and performance of soils, and in protecting the environment from
further abuse. Soils are a fragile part of the ecosystem, and must be managed carefully
to achieve a harmonious environment-with human beings as an integral part of the
efficient system. If soils are abused, the consequences can be disastrous. This book shows
some examples of land abuse and the results, but concentrates principally on the scien
tific soil description, delineation, interpretation, and application of the information in a
constructive format. Technology and examples are available for us to apply to achieve
tremendous improvements in land use. The future can be bright indeed if we use our soils
and other resources wisely.
Laypersons are the prime audience intended for this book, but the book will be
equally useful to soil scientists and other technically trained people. The text of the book
is constructed around the figures and tables, so that the basic message of the book is
visual, based on the photographs, maps, diagrams, and graphs. The data in the tables
provide detail for those who can benefit from specific examples of soil variability and
significance of soil performance. Complex mathematical formulas and other highly
technical discussions have been avoided, as have some of the more theoretical aspects of
pedology. Selected references are listed to guide interested readers to further explanations
about specific topics_ A glossary is included for laypersons who may be unfamiliar with
some of the terms.
This book can be of value to everyone involved or interested in uses of areas of land.
In the ultimate sense, practically all human activities are concerned with or located on
plots of different soils. Success or failure of foundations, farming operations, forestry,
recreation, waste disposal, and nearly all other plot or area-dependent enterprises is
greatly dependent upon the nature and properties of the soils. Contractors, for example,
can use this book as the key to making interpretations about the uses of soil surveys for
ix
x PREFACE
construction, excavations, and landscape design. Farmers using this book can improve
their understanding of their soils and yields, and management considerations. Teachers
and students will find in this book explanations about soil descriptions, classification, and
groupings of soils for practical purposes. Environmentalists and hydrologists will obtain
from the book an understanding of landscapes from which better decisions about eco
logical and pollution problems can be made in the future. Officials of the Soil Conserva
tion Service and Cooperative Extension will discover that the book is useful as a reference
for their own use and in teaching their clients and the general public about soils. Workers
in international programs and natural scientists in others countries can use the book to
generate interest in soil surveys, and to make better use of the surveys and reports that
already exist. The book also relates to other disciplines, such as plant and animal ecology,
land-use planning, physical geography, natural resources, earth resources, archaeology,
agriculture, forest and range managment, environmental quality, resource economics,
conservation, and many other fields. Specifically, this book will be used by agricultural
ists, agronomists, assessors, botanists, conservationists, contractors, ecologists, economists,
engineers, extension workers, foresters, geologists, groundwater experts, planners,
politicians, public health officials, range managers, recreationists, soil scientists, students,
teachers, wildlife specialists, and many others.
Many people have contributed over the past 25 years to the ideas and concepts ex
pressed in this book. The author is especially grateful to reviewers Dr. Gerald A. Nielsen,
Professor of Soils, Department of Plant and Soil Science, Montana State University,
Bozeman, and Dr. Tej S. Gill, Senior Program Manager, Development Support Bureau,
Office of Agriculture, Agency for International Development, Department of State,
Washington, D.C. This book was written at the invitation of Dr. Donald R. Coates, Pro
fessor of Geology, Department of Geological Sciences and Environmental Studies, State
University of New York at Binghamton, for his series, Environment, Energy, and Society,
and the author greatly appreciates his encouragement and editorship. Sandra S. Seymour
typed the manuscript, and Eileen W. Callinan drafted the illUstrations.
G.W.OLSON
CONTENTS
Foreword
Preface
Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION 1
Chapter 2 SOIL PROFILE DESCRIPTIONS 7
Soil Horizons 13
Color 17
Texture 22
Field Definitions 23
A Practical Exercise 24
General Classes 26
Structure 27
Consistence 34
Reaction 37
Boundary 39
Chapter 3 LABORATORY ANALYSES 41
Soil Fertility Tests 41
Results 42
Land-Use Effects 42
Engineering Soils Tests 46
Unified System 46
Plasticity Index 48
Soil Classification Lab Analyses 49
Soil Test Kit 50
xi
xii CONTENTS
Chapter 4 SOIL CLASSIFICATION 53
Nomenclature 54
Maps 62
Groupings of Soils 62
Drainage Classes 65
Interpretive Maps 66
Lagol Area Examples 71
Chapter 5 COMPUTERIZED DATA PROCESSING 78
SCS Form 5 80
Chapter 6 ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS 91
Community Development 93
Waste Disposal 95
Chapter 7 AGRICULTURAL LAND CLASSIFICATION 98
Land Capability 98
Productivity Index 101
Land Economics 101
Land Use 103
Chapter 8 EROSION CONTROL 105
Soil-Loss Equation 108
Evidence of Soil Erosion 113
Canadarago Computer Study 114
Chapter 9 YIELD CORRELATIONS 119
Estimated Yields 122
Soil Correlations 122
National Programs 125
Crop Responses 125
Experiment Design 127
Sequential Testing 127
Chapter 10 ARCHEOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS 130
New York 130
Mesa Verde 131
Phoenix 131