Soil Science Resources

Resources

Who Can I Ask For Help? (or, "So You Need A Little Help Digging Your Pit....")

See the menu to the left for more resources and information on National and State Education Standards, Books and Videos, and more.

In all GLOBE partner countries, soil scientists at local or state Universities and Colleges may be very eager to help with the Soil Protocols (check departments such as Agronomy, Soil Science, Geography, and Environmental Science).

Also, contact national agriculture or natural resource agencies, or local planning agencies who may use Soil Scientists as consultants

In the USA: The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a number of organizations which can be helpful. Probably the most useful organization is the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Within the NRCS, there are many soil scientists available to help you at the county, state, regional, or national level. To get more information about the NRCS, check the home page at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/, or http://offices.usda.gov or your telephone book.

Other USDA agencies that might be helpful are:

In other partner countries:

In addition to your local agencies, Universities, and Colleges, you can try:

Information About Soils

Soil Characterization Field Guide 8.5x11 page PDF files: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4

  • Download and use these field guide instructions to conduct your characterization protocols such as structure, color, consistence, and texture.

Dr. Soil (Beginning Learning Activity Introducing Soil Science Concepts)

  • A terrific learning activity to introduce soil science and characterization concepts.

Images of Soil Erosion from the Netherlands

  • See twelve slides shows of soil erosion (external link)

Filtering Qualities of Soils

  • A learning activity by Larry P Wilding, of Texas A&M University, to show how the soil acts as a filtering medium.

GLOBE Soil Characterization Protocol PowerPoint Slide downloads

  • Go here if you'd like to download the GLOBE Program's Soil Characterization Protocol PowerPoint presentations.

How Much Soil Is There?

  • Have you ever wondered just how much soil there is on the Earth to grow plants? Go to "How Much Soil Is There?" to find out.

How To Make Soil Models (Monoliths)

  • Read all about how to make your own soil model and also see how the professionals make them.

In the time it took to form one inch of soil...

  • Soil can form pretty slowly. Head over here for some perspective on just how slowly soil forms.

The Nitrogen Cycle

  • Nitrogen transformations in soil, water, & air.

The Nitrogen Fate Transformation Game (NFTG)

  • Play the game. It's fun and you'll learn a lot!

Nuuksio National Park GLOBE Study Site

  • Images of a great soil site in Finland.

The Plant Nutrient Team Activity Book

  • This is a great activity book for learning about plants and the nutrients that they need to grow and thrive.

Preparation Description for the "Julia Child" Method of Training the Soil Science GLOBE Protocols

The guide to help trainers set up the soil portion of a GLOBE training.

Soil Characterization Field Guide

  • This field guide can be printed out and used out in the field to complete the GLOBE soil characterization horizon description protocols.
Here are the step-by-step instructions for the GLOBE Soil Characterization protocols. There are images and instructions to download or print out.

Soil Gallery

  • Here are some amazing soil profile images from different places.

Soil In The News Archive

  • Check out how the soil has been in the news over the last few years

Soil pH

  • See the pH values of many different plants, trees, fruits and vegetables.

Soils As Electrical Systems

  • A learning activity by Larry P Wilding, of Texas A&M University, to show how the soil is an electrical system.

Special Soil In The News Article: Worms (And Their Droppings) Are Big Business

  • One of the soil's best friends, the worm, was in the news.

Texture By Feel (Or How do those soil judges do it anyway?)

  • Learn all about how to conduct the soil texture by feel protocol.

Please let us know if you have contacted any of these resource people for help, or if you know of others we haven't listed!