AGS 50 ITESM Agriculture Formation and Classification Soils Question

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Kfr22

Science

AGS 50

Tecnologico de Monterrey

AGS

Description

For the Soil Formation and Classification unit lab write-up, you will need to submit a pdf file of the following:

a minimum 1-page single-spaced typed write-up based on the AGS 50 Soils Lab 2 Formation and Classification assignment found in your lab module.

Grading for the lab is as follows:

1. Data included for each soil as detailed in part B of the assignment (30 points - 15 points/soil)

2. Summary paragraph comparing the two soils from above (20 points - 10 points/soil)

This lab write-up is worth 50 points toward your grade and is due by the specified due date. No late submissions will be accepted without penalty.

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AGS 50 Soils Lab 2: Formation and Classification Background: The USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) provides free public access to the nation’s soil resource data with about 92 percent of private and tribal lands in the U.S. being covered by soil surveys. Considering current soil surveys date back several decades or more in some cases, updates are being done on soil survey data across the country to allow better interpretation of soil behavior for specific uses and for emerging issues, such as climate change and nutrient management. In 2005, the NRCS Soil Science Division transitioned from its traditional, static soil surveys published in bound hard copy to a more fluid online format that allows NRCS to continually update soil survey data as needed. The resulting Web Soil Survey (WSS) and associated SoilWeb app provides agricultural producers, agencies, Technical Service Providers, and others access to relevant soil and related information needed to make land-use management decisions in a stream-lined fashion from which customers can create custom soil survey reports for just their area of interest. Lab Assignment Overview: This lab write-up is meant to introduce you to the online soil resource known as the SoilWeb. You will find a wealth of information including data on the soil’s profile and how the soil is classified. Your lab write-up will consist of a typed document describing and summarizing two soils of your choice. You will compare/contrast the two soils based on the soil data you find as described in the next sections. First, think of a location that you are interested in learning more about the soils found there. 1. This location is often the site at which you took your samples in the first unit lab. 2. While this site does cover most areas in the country, international locations are not available. You will need to choose location(s) in the United States. 3. It’s helpful to have a backup location, as occasionally the location you choose does not have enough information about the soils there. Where to go on the internet: In order to complete the soil formation and classification lab assignment, you will need to access the SoilWeb app available through the UC Davis California Soil Resource Lab here: https://casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/soilweb-apps to complete steps A and B below. Steps to retrieving the information you need for each of your soils: A. Locating and mapping your soil in the SoilWeb app: 1: Open the Soil Web app link above. 2: Click on the “SoilWeb” link on the top left of the page. 3. Click on “Menu” in the top left and then “Zoom to Location”. 4. Enter your location and hit “go”. 1 B. Recording data about two soils at/near this location (you will do the following for the two soils that are the most abundant at your location as determined in step 2 below): 1. Click next to your location marker to get drop down links in the top left of the page. 2. Click “Map Unit Composition” and under the drop down record the following: a. series names (name next to the percentage) and the geomorphic position 3. Click on the Series name link you will report on (it will be highlighted in blue if info is available; if not highlighted, choose another series). 4. Click on the “Soil Data Explorer” and record the following data: a. Series description b. Taxonomic Class c. Typical Pedon description (horizons and associated descriptions) d. Geographic Setting e. Drainage and Permeability f. Use and Vegetation g. Series established (when and where) 5. Go back and click on “Series Extent Explorer” and record the following data: a. Statewide acreage total for this soil series b. General description of soil series location throughout in the state (you describe based on the soil’s distribution on the map, i.e. found throughout central valley at base of Sierra Nevada foothills) 6. Go back to and click on Series Name (B3 above) and Record the following data: a. Soil Profiles: copy and paste the graphic of the profile b. Soil Taxonomy: Order and Soil Series name c. Land Classification: Land Capability Class Ratings (both irrigated and non-irrigated) d. Hydraulic and Erosion Ratings: Parent Material and Total Plant Available Water e. Soil Suitability Ratings: Agriculture rating and one other rating of your choice C. Compile the information above into your write-up as follows: a. Include bolded headings for each section, i.e. Series Name: b. Don’t just copy/paste the information. Re-write in your own words. c. Use tables where appropriate D. Include a final paragraph comparing the two soils. How are they similar and how are they different based on what you discovered? E. Save your write-up as a pdf and submit by the due date! 2
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Explanation & Answer

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1

Soils Lab 2: Formation and Classification

Name of Student:
Institution Affiliation:
Professor Name:
February 25, 2021

2

Soils Lab 2: Formation and Classification

This write-up describes and compares the Cagwin and Toem soil series found in
California, U.S. The soil composition is represented as 45% and 25%, respectively, represented
on the Natural Resource Conservation Service Databases.
1. Cagwin
Section A.
a. Geomorphic position - mountains or backslope.
b. Soil description
The Cagwin series is formed from weathered granite rocks found on side slopes of
mountains. The precipitation occurs within slope ranges of between 5% to 75% at 1016mm at a
temperature of 50C. The soil displays moderately deep but excessively draining characteristics
("California Soil Resource Lab: Soil Web Apps",, 2021).
c. Taxonomic Class
The soil belongs to the family of Mixed, Frigid Dystric Xeropsamments.
d. Typical Pedon description
According to August 8 1968, typical Pedon description, the soil is dry and has dry ground
colours. It has the texture of loamy coarse sand of woodland. It is also on a 40% facing slope in
the southwest region and usually found under Jeffrey pines, manzanita and white fir. These
ground cover crops occur at an altitude of 1981 meters elevation ("California Soil Resource Lab:
Soil Web Apps", 2021).
e.

Geographic Setting

The climatic conditions that favour weathering of granite into the Cagwin soils are
humidity of between 480- 1400 mm annual precipitation, usually in snow seasons. The
temperature is averaged between 5 to 8 degrees Celsius annually. In January, the mean
temperature is between -3 to -2 degrees Celsius, while in July, it is at 13 to 16 degrees Celsius,
and the frost-free season takes less than 80 days. The elevation is on mountainside slopes,
ranging from 5 to 75 per cent. The elevation altitude ranges from 1524- 2580 meters ("California
Soil Resource Lab: Soil Web Apps", 2021).
f. Drainage and Permeability
The Cagwin series has a moderate and rapid permeability higher than the paraphilic
contact. It displays excessive drainage and a low to medium runoff.
g. Use and Vegetation
The soil properties make it suitable for timber production, making watersheds or even for
a habitation of wildlife. The vegetation growth supported by the soil is either dense or semidense, with the most common vegetations as white fir, California red fir or Jeffrey pines.
h. Series established

3

The Cagwin series was established in 1970 within the Tahoe Basin in El Dorado County,
California.
Section B
I.

Statewide acreage total

In the Cagwin soil series, the total acreage within California is 162,872 acres from the 8
Pedon samples collected.
II.

General description of soil series location

The Cagwin is distributed in the mountainous regions of the Northern part of California
to a moderate extent.
Section C.
a. Soil Profiles:

b. Soil Taxonomy:
order

Entisol...


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