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My soil is clay so it hinders the flow of nutrients and water through the environment. The nutrients rest mostly on top of the soil because it is so thick and nonporous and wash away with the first rain. Water soaks into the clay and keeps some the environment overly saturated with water. Some organisms in this area are clovers, maple trees, large ferns, tall grasses, and some small flowering vines. These organisms lend nutrients to the soil and may help keep the soil from remaining too moist by removing some of the water it retains with their roots. This soil is unlikely to be eroded because of its thick and heavy consistency. Its loss would result in a whole new arrangement of plant life better suited to the new soil. This in turn would change the animal life found in this area because the plants they feed on could no longer survive in the different type of soil. It would erode to the gully in the middle of the woods and its presence would create more plants in the area which is mostly barren now plant life akin to the plants found in the area where I found the soil. This would include vines and clovers as well as flowering ground covering plants. As an ecologist it is important to think about soil texture because it is an abiotic factor that plays an important part in the ecosystem it can affect the type of plant species that are able to grow in it which in turn affects the types of organisms able to survive in the environment.
The soil is loamy sand.
This sandy soil allows for plenty of movement because the particles are fairly loose.
There are many different types of organisms living in the area where I collected the soil: insects, deer, rabbits, frogs, worms ect.
These organisms affect the soil qualities with their decomposition when they die and with their waste excretions.
Because the soil particles are larger and allow for easy movement, yes the soil is likely to be eroded.
If the soil was moved, the land would become more flat and possibly have less plant life.
Well, depending on the location it moves to, it would either hinder or help plant growth. If it just moved to another place within the same area, it would probably just be deposited and not have much of an effect.
What kind of soil composition is optimal for building structures/ parking lots/ houses on top of? Does elevation matter?
Soil with clay prevents excessive water loss because the particles are small and close together. Clay soil also provides a good amount of nutrients
The soil was collected in an area close to the pond under a bush, aside from the plants nearby there were also insects. There are also turtles that live in the pond they may also have been in the area where the soil was collected.
The plants in the area would affect the nutrient level of the soil and the insects and worms that may be living there would affect the amount of decaying organic material that is in the soil
Because the clay is so tightly packed it will not erode as easily as sand or other soil that is made up of larger particles preventing it from being as compacted. Without the clay soil the plants in the area may not survive as well due to loss of nutrients and the organisms that depend on the clay soil will also not survive. Erosion would of the soil would lead to the pond perhaps expanding its boundaries. If the clay soil erodes into the pond it may provide a new habitat for water plants like cat tails to anchor in and thrive off of the nutrients that it provides.
It is important to think about soil texture because it determines what organisms can and cannot survive in an area because it affects the availability of nutrients and water flow in that area. Soil is essentially the foundation of some ecosystems.
The texture of my soil aids water flow and the movement of nutrients, not as much as sand, but more so than clay. There are many plants in the area where this soil was taken from, as well as decomposing organisms. These affect the soil by keeping it from eroding and constantly adding new nutrients from the break down of organic material. This soil is not likely to be eroded. It's loss would change the entire area, as the plants nearby would have no purchase. The soil might erode into a nearby stream, which would affect the stream by dumping nutrients into it, and also creating the possibility of clogging the stream because it's pretty small. It is important for an ecologist to think about soil texture because the texture will have a large impact on who water flows in the environment, and if nutrients will get trapped in one area. These occurrences will affect what types of vegetation can live in the area and that will affect what types of animals can live in the area.
All sites that I tested were silt loam. Silt is the medium sized particles present in soil. Since this soil is a silt loam, it is a medium soil in respect to particle size. Since the particle size is fairly small, there is more surface area. This large surface area holds more water. The organisms that I saw when I was collecting the samples were insects such as ants. In one area, there were many ant hills present. These insects alter the soil due to it being their habitat and where they build their homes. They also move other materials into the area. The soil that I collected is unlikely to be eroded. The areas I collected were fairly flat land. If it were eroded, it would erode down into the creek and pond. This is the low land in the area. It’s presence could either create build up in the bottom of the pond and stream, making it shallow, or it could effect the organisms living there. This decrease in living space above the floor of the pond and creek creates areas closer to oxygen, which could be a problem. On the other hand, the extra sediment could create more room for organisms that live in the damp soil. It is important to think about soil texture to understand what influences humans have in relation to the water table and how our water will move through it. Also, some areas are more ideal for certain species, so conservation could be improved due to this knowledge.
After performing the soil test, I determined that my soil was sand. The soil crumbled very easily and did not make a ball, even though it was moist. The light texture of the sandy soil allows water and nutrients to flow very easily. There were a lot of little insects in the soil that I tested. This may be because the soil is softer and allows the bugs to move around easier. I'm not sure that the insects have a big affect on the soil, but the numerous trees and weeds do. The vegetation affects the soil by soaking up water and nutrients, leaving the soil dry. I think this soil is very likely to be eroded because it is light and there are dogs and people roaming around the area weekly.
•My soil was sandy loam
•It can hinder water flow because it is gritty and sandy.
•Worms, roley pollies, ants, and decomposed leaves.
•They help to put air back into the soil, and can leave behind nutrients in their wastes
•It is likely to be eroded because it is composed of so much sand, which is easily moved by water and other elements. It would be bad because a house is built on the hill and if the soil started to erode, it could have harmful effects on the house and people living in it. The hill would erode fist to be a little steeper. If it moves downhill, like it should, it would invade the creek and make it more shallow, causing less water to be collected, and could affect the organisms that use it for water.
•It is important because soil texture can have a huge impact on what organisms and plants will be present. This can then determine the type of environment that grows and is built around it.
The soil’s texture of sandy clay loam allows for good drainage from the sandy portion, however the addition of clay helps to prevent excessive movement/drainage/leaching. Whereas, the loam portion helps to retain water and nutrients, while still allowing water to flow through. In the area where I collected soil, it was mainly dominate by plants and TONS of mosquitoes. There may have been other organisms I didn’t notice, because I was very distracted by the swarm of mosquitoes that besought my blood. The number of plants in the area help to enrich the organic horizon with organic matter being deposited upon the ground and decomposing, as well as fixing nitrogen into the soils. The soil in the area where I collected would not be prone to being eroded, due to the fact that there where several plants in the area to aid in structure and stability of the soil, and this area is in a depression, so there is no where else to go. However, because this area is a depression, should the soils erode from the sides, it could make it much more prone extremely high levels of erosion during heavy rains and floods, because it could flow directly into the river.
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A) Slit loam is the type of soil.
B) I think the soil's smooth texture aids water flow and the movement of nutrients since there aren't any large particles to stop the water in its path.
C) There are worms and plant organisms such as grass and leaves.
D) The worms help the soil quality by recycling things back into the soil.
E) I don't think the soil is likely to be eroded.
F) It is important to think about soil texture because the texture of the soil determines how well water can flow through the environment, as well as what types of plant organisms would likely flourish in the specific type of soil.
The general observation is that the ground is sloped inwards from the road to the center of the grassy area. The water flow was anticipated to stay where it was because there was a small gradient therefore most of the water will need to be percolated downwards. There are human structures close as the black scribble areas is a road. Carbon enters the ecosystem from the atmosphere (such as in the form of CO2) as well as through decomposing matter. Nitrogen enters this area sometimes through fertilizers but I am sure that it has not been added in in a while and there are no areas that are higher then this so none would flow to it. Phosphorus enters the ecosystem when water enters through precipitation. They are not concentrated in any specific area that i can see because it is pretty much level maybe in the very small ditch the levels would be higher but the grass is the same color as other areas. The nutrients can leave this location becoming leached out or else they can be respired into the environment. They can become unavailable for use if they are leached out or if the soil is removed. The landscape affects the where the organism are located because it is very dry and pretty flat so most organisms are found in the tall weeds and trees. An organism might affect abiotic factors because it could change the pH of a soil if it removes some of the nutrients.
The soil’s texture aids water flow and movement of nutrients. This is because the soil is very moist, and has a large amount of moisture in it. This allows water to move easily through it as well as nutrients. The types of organisms that are in the environment are many insects, water animals such as frogs and turtles, organisms in the soil such as worms and decomposers, and many other organisms that I have been unable to see. The organisms living in the soil have a positive effect on the soil. This is because the organisms decompose the nutrients so that other organisms going in the soil will be able to take up the nutrients. The water animals have a positive effect on the soil. They have a positive effect because when they die the nutrients will be released into the soil. The insects of the environment also have a positive effect on the soil. It has the same effect the water animals do by giving nutrients to the soil when decomposed. I think the soil that I sampled is likely to be eroded. This is because it is very close to a moving water source. The soil is on the bank of a stream which is connected to a very close river. This increases the possibility of erosion because the water could be sweeping soil into the river and replacing it with soil from other places up the river. The loss of soil would affect the location because it would be replaced with soil that may not have the nutrients needed for the organisms in the location. I think that main place the soil would erode to is the banks of the river and stream. It would mainly erode there because this is where the water would connect the soil harshly and be able to pull it into the water. The present of eroded soil may have negative or positive effect on the location. It could have a negative effect because it may not contain all of the nutrients needed for the organisms to survive. It could also have a positive effect on the soil because it may bring more nutrients than it is used to. This would cause the carrying capacity to possibly increase because there would be nutrients left over. It is important to think about soil texture so they can understand the interactions between soil organisms. It is also important because it helps to understand the biotic and abiotic factors of the environment.
Preparing soil test...
a) What type of soil is at your site?
- Loamy sand
b) How does your soil’s texture aid or hinder water flow and the movement of nutrients?
- Loamy sand aids water flow and movement of nutrients because it retains nutrients and water well while still letting water flow freely. Loamy soil can adapt to many different types of weather conditions.
c) What types of organisms are in the area where you collected the soil?
- worms, spiders, trees, weed, ants, roly polies and grass.
d) What effects do these organisms have on the soil’s qualities?
- With the diversity of organisms, they make up the soils food web. They eat, grow, and move through the soil, making it possible to have clean water, clean air, healthy plants, and moderated water flow.
e) Is the soil you collected likely to be eroded? How would its loss affect the current
location? Where would it erode to in your site? How would its presence affect the
location it moves to?
- No, the soil collected is not likely to be eroded. It the soil was eroded, many organism would die and not be able to live and grow in the area.
f) As an ecologist, why is it important to think about soil texture?
- Soil texture helps the environment flourish and organisms to survive. This is very important because without good soil texture we would not be able plant vegetables, have clean air, and nutrients that is needed to for life.
Graphic promoting Step 1 of the 1% Challenge. Establishing an organic matter baseline through soil test.
Since the soil texture is classified as a silty clay loam, water movement is hindered. Clay soils have much smaller particles that are closer together which makes water movement very difficult. Less water movement means less nutrient movement from the O layer of the soil to the lower layers affecting organism growth in the area where soil was found. You can see in the picture that only short grasses where found in the area that the soil was tested. This is happening because there is not enough water/ nutrient movement to support larger organisms such as trees.
Heavy rains could affect this soils texture since only small organisms are "holding" this soil in place. Meaning that a heavy rain could wash away this area. As an ecologist it is important to think about soil texture because it has a tremendous affect in and around the soil. Certain organism can only grow on certain soils, these organisms then attract certain herbivores. In the simplest of ideas soil texture can predict and affects the entire ecology of an area.
a) What type of soil is at your site?
Loamy sand
b) How does your soil’s texture aid or hinder water flow and the movement of nutrients?
It is good for water retention, but okay when it comes to nutrient retention.
c) What types of organisms are in the area where you collected the soil?
There were large trees and a bunch of small birds/finches. There were also ants seen on the trunk of the tree.
d) What effects do these organisms have on the soil’s qualities?
The plants probably have the most affect from nutrients absorption through their roots, especially with the large oak trees found nearby.
e) Is the soil you collected likely to be eroded? How would its loss affect the current
location? Where would it erode to in your site? How would its presence affect the
location it moves to?
I do not think the soil is that much eroded because of the oak tree that has been there for years. It may be very slightly eroded due to a trail nearby which can be affected by joggers and their pets. This would move some soil more towards the rocky trail and up to the concrete parking lot.
f) As an ecologist, why is it important to think about soil texture?
Soil texture can let us know of what it is composed of. This can be used to determine which types of plants may benefit from the soil.
1. After doing the "feel test" I determined that the soil is a sandy clay.
2. When I added water, the soil absorbed water as well as let water to flow through it. It seems that water and nutrients can easily be transported through the soil.
3. Organisms around the soil sample area include: worms, roly polys, ants, grass, and small bushes.
4. The grass and bushes use nutrients from the soil to grow. Nutrients may be removed from the soil by the insects there as well. Also, waste from the insects add to the soil's chemical properties.
5. The soil I collected could be eroded by wind or water. If this soil was lost, grass and shrubs would not be able to root/grow. The insects would have no shelter or moisture if the soil was eroded. If eroded, the soil would most likely get transported into the pond, (lowest elevation.) The water would then take on the nutrients and waste contained in the soil, which could have a positive or negative effect.
6. The texture of soil can affect everything that grows or lives in it. If a soil is very find-grained and tightly compacted, water will not easily flow through it. Without water flow, nutrients will not be transported sufficiently which would affect the organisms that thrive on those nutrients.
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a. The soil texture has a relatively sandy component which would aid, not hinder, water flow and nutrient movement.
2. I noticed various insects (ie: worms, beetles, caterpillars, etc). The plant types were numerous, and there were some (but not many) larger organisms such as chipmunks and squirrels.
3. Some effects the organisms may have on the soil include nutrient extraction by plants and decomposition of organic matter.
4. Because the sample was taken from the more wooded area, which is flat and protected by plant life, it is less likely to experience erosion than that of the soil near the river.
NRCS Area Agronomist Cody Garcia runs a water infiltration test in a field at Highland Harmony Farm.; Park County; June 25, 2024
Doing soil test #2, with a different kit. I wanted to compare the results on one against the other and I found a better deal (cost per test).
As you can see, pH is up towards 8.0. The soil contains a lot of decomposing limestone (calcium carbonate) and is very calcareous.
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West Coast Tank Recovery Inc. provides you with the professional and comprehensive solution for all your tank recovery needs on both residential and commercial properties. For more detail visit: www.wctankrecovery.net
The soil next to the trail in the forest by the river is sandy loam. This would allow easier transportation to the river that is down the hill. Many organisms are in the area including trees, small weeds, mosquitoes, dragonflies, birds, and some deer. Some organisms, like the plants, would remove nutrients from the soil. All of the organisms after death would help replenish the nutrients of the soil. The soil would likely be eroded. It is right next to the river. The river is already eroded some soil because it sits lower in the earth and isn't level with the soil. The erosion would effect the landscape by losing the soil near the banks and it would be redeposited down stream. The landscape upstream would lose nutrients and area for organisms. The landscape downstream would gain soil with nutrients that may not be present in the soil. It is important to think about so because certain soils only promote growth of certain species and it can change the flow of water.
a) What type of soil is at your site?
The soil is loamy sandy.
b) How does your soil’s texture aid or hinder water flow and the movement of nutrients?
This soil retains very little water barey sows the movement of nutrients.
c) What types of organisms are in the area where you collected the soil?
The area is mostly covered in small plants, and a few small trees.
d) What effects do these organisms have on the soil’s qualities?
They take nutrients away from the soil, but the slow the movement of water and nutrients in the soil. The area also has decomposing plants that add to the soil. This further decreases the rate of water and nutrients movement through the area.
e) Is the soil you collected likely to be eroded?
The soil does move in a slanted downhill direction, but it is not the top of the hill. It can receive more soil from the area above it.
How would its loss affect the current location?
The loss of the soil would cause the death of the plants in the area. This would cause the death or relocation of numerous birds and insects.
Where would it erode to in your site?
The soil would relocate into another soiled area that has a sharp dip and then levels off.
How would its presence affect the location it moves to?
It provides the area with loamy sand soil with decompose plant material. The decompose plant material will provide additional nutrition and increase water retention.
f) As an ecologist, why is it important to think about soil texture?
The soil is the foundation for plant life. It determines what kind of pants can grow in an area plus the quantity.
Location 1
a. This soil was sandy clay loam.
b. This soil would retain much of the water, but would still enable the water to pass through it. Due to the "sandiness" of the soil roots would also have more movement. Nutrients would also be retained in the mostly clay soil.
c. Low lying plants were in the 2 foot radius.
d. The plants bring in nutrients by living and dying. Also they go through their carbon and oxygen cycles. In addition, by animals eating the plants, nutrients from the plants are transported to other areas.
e. No. this is the site where all of the eroded soil would move to, possibly causing this location to be a little sandy. This site is at the bottom of the hill.
f. The soil type is critical in understanding the types of plants, and thus animals that will inhabit the location.
Most of my soil I found to be silty clay which has a large capacity for water which hinders the water flow and movement of nutrients. From prior knowledge I know that the pond bottom is mostly clay which creates a barrier for water which in turn doesn’t allow the pond to drain. I also found some more sandy loam in the forest area which has a lower capacity for water which allows more of a flow of water and movement of nutrients.
Types of organisms that are in the area where I collected the soil range from deer and muskrat to frogs and fish in the nearby pond. These organisms have an effect on the soil’s qualities by introducing more nutrients to the soil. The soil I collected is unlikely to be eroded. The only way soil would be eroded in my capstone site is if it rained a lot and water ran from the pond into the neighboring field. But if the soil from my site moved into the field next door then that would effect the soil of the field which a farmer plants his crops each year. The part in which the soil eroded into could be less likely to grow any seeds planted there due to the lack of movement of nutrients in the silty clay.
An ecologist should think about soil texture because it determines what organisms will live there and that determines the environment. All this information is needed is any research is done or any experiment are being run.
a) What type of soil is at your site?
The soil is loamy sandy.
b) How does your soil’s texture aid or hinder water flow and the movement of nutrients?
This soil retains very little water barey sows the movement of nutrients.
c) What types of organisms are in the area where you collected the soil?
The area is mostly covered in small plants, and a few small trees.
d) What effects do these organisms have on the soil’s qualities?
They take nutrients away from the soil, but the slow the movement of water and nutrients in the soil. The area also has decomposing plants that add to the soil. This further decreases the rate of water and nutrients movement through the area.
e) Is the soil you collected likely to be eroded?
The soil does move in a slanted downhill direction, but it is not the top of the hill. It can receive more soil from the area above it.
How would its loss affect the current location?
The loss of the soil would cause the death of the plants in the area. This would cause the death or relocation of numerous birds and insects.
Where would it erode to in your site?
The soil would relocate into another soiled area that has a sharp dip and then levels off.
How would its presence affect the location it moves to?
It provides the area with loamy sand soil with decompose plant material. The decompose plant material will provide additional nutrition and increase water retention.
f) As an ecologist, why is it important to think about soil texture?
The soil is the foundation for plant life. It determines what kind of pants can grow in an area plus the quantity.
NRCS Area Agronomist Cody Garcia runs a water infiltration test in a field at Highland Harmony Farm.; Park County; June 25, 2024
The sand formed a ball and did not break, but didn’t form a ribbon. The soil’s texture allows for water to pass through fairly easy, while still holding the soil together. Organisms in the area include various plant life, such as grasses, some trees, and flowers. Animals include ants, antlions, lizards, birds, rabbits, and various types of bugs. The vegetation pulls nutrients and water from the sand, and deposit organic material into the soil. I think with the high amounts of wind in my area it is possible for the soil to erode, I don’t think it is likely to erode anytime soon. If it did erode there is plenty of space for it to move to. It’s present wouldn’t affect the surrounding area very much. Soil is important to know because it is the foundation of biomes. The soil along with the amount of precipitation and climate determine what organisms can live in a biome.