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CSS 205. Soils: Sustainable Ecosystems

Labs

Week	Beginning	Lab Topic	Readings: Soil Quality Test Kit Guide
1	March 31	Compost and Texture *
2	April 7	Field Trip *
3	April 14	Bulk Density and Water *
4	April 21	Soil Water
5	April 28	Soil Survey
6	May 5	Soil Chemistry
7	May 12	Nutrients
8	May 19	Watershed Stewardship *
9	May 26	Compost and Soil Animals
10	June 2	Field Trip *

* Outdoor activities—dress accordingly.

Sample Papers

Lab 1

Quiz Review Sheets

Lab 3

Possible Topics

The following list is just a suggestion. You may take a larger or smaller view of any of the topics, or you may choose another topic. It’s suggested that you check in with your lab’s TA for suitability.

Lab 3: Bulk Density, Porosity, Soil Moisture, and Field Areas

• Bulk density
• Compaction and plant response/ engineering use of/ standard agricultural or forestry practices and compaction
• Field capacity, wilting point, evapotranspiration, effect of soil pore size on plant available water
• Comparison of 3 terms used by soil scientists and civil or forest engineers and the difference in their meanings
• Penetrometers, lysimeters
• Containerized plants and growing media
• Tillage responses of specific clay mineral (bentonite, kaolinite, etc.)
• Trends in farm sizes in US; average farm sizes in developing country of your choice/ how land is inherited in other culture

Lab 4: Darcy’s Law and Saturated Flow

• Henri Darcy and his work with saturated flow
• Unsaturated flow, wetting fronts
• Comparative connectivity of soil pores based on soil type
• Linear modeling and Darcy’s law
• Effect of mulching on infiltration/ effect of soil organic matter on infiltration

Lab 5: Aggregate Stability

• Comparison of soil particle size and chemical activity in soils
• The organic matter cycle (could include illustration to clarify points)
• Roles fungal hyphae play in soil/plant systems
• Effects of slaking on soil infiltration rate
• Soil systems appreciably effected by freezing and thawing cycles (geography, geology, cropping systems)
• Earthworms, slugs, other soft-bodied soil macro-organisms
• Time frame of soil forming processes/ anthropogenic impacts

Grading Criteria for Lab Papers

Item	Points
The paper relates its topic to the curriculum and to the student’s academic goals or other coursework.	20 pts.
The writer displays clarity and precision of thought, and synthesizes course concepts.	20 pts.
Paragraphs are well developed with clear topic sentences and supportive facts or opinions.	20 pts.
Standard grammar, spelling, punctuation, are correct and sources are cited	20 pts.
Topic selection shows intellectual curiosity and/or goes beyond the scope of the course.	20 pts.
Cost for a late paper	-4 pts/day