Soils

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Soils are one of our most valuable resources that are often overlooked. The soils section of the Envirothon challenges students to learn about the science and importance of soils and how they are managed. In order to be successful in this section, students are encouraged to learn information in the following four broad categories:

Basic Soil Knowledge
Understanding Maps, Surveys and Landforms
Land Use
Decision-Making and Protection of Soils

The links provided below* will help Envirothon participants prepare, however, be sure to "link around" to find additional useful information. To provide an all inclusive list of soil/land use resources would be overwhelming, therefore, only the most pertinent links are provided.

An Introduction to Soils of Pennsylvania

Soil Surveys and Soil Mapping

PA's State Soil

Soil Quality Information Sheets:

Soil Quality Introduction

Indicators for Soil Quality Evaluation

Sustaining Our Soils and Society (Caution, large file - 4 MB)

Topographical Map Symbols

Soil Biology Primer: "The Soil Food Web"

From the Surface Down

A Conservation Catalog

Soil References for Landforms and Geologic Terms - Soil structure and soil texture

Soil's Not Trivial

Cornell Soil pH kits

Do You Dig Wetland Soils?

The Color of Soil

* These resources are provided by the Pennsylvania State Envirothon's Soils Resource CD. When possible, resources were link to their original source, however, the size or absence of some of the originals made it necessary to place the resources within the Water Resource Center website. These are not resources developed by the Center, but rather the Pennsylvania Envirothon or other organizations. Please visit http://www.envirothonpa.org/soils.shtml for an outline of the Soils CD contents and learning objectives.

Keystone College Willary Water Resource Center