Title: Explain techniques associated with soil best management practices.
Course: Introduction to Natural Resources and Ecology Systems (18504) > Section: Managing Soil Resources

Explanation should include

- identifying the physical and chemical properties of soil, including organic matter, macronutrient, and micronutrient availability
- describing how soil quality directly affects water quality, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, plant growth, and crop production
- explaining how to improve soil quality
- analyzing a plot of land to determine which soil management techniques would be most applicable
- identifying the planned use of the soil
- evaluating soil management practices (e.g., no-till farming, cover crops, addition of organic matter)
- using regenerative agriculture practices such as multispecies cover crops and soil carbon monitoring
- devising a soil management plan to minimize erosion and maximize biodiversity, plant productivity, and the formation of topsoil.

Process/Skill Questions:

- What types of data, information, and results are provided in a soil analysis?
- What is the difference between chemical, physical, and biological aspects of the soil?
- Why is lime applied to land? Sulfur?
- Why is prior knowledge of plant species important for nutrient recommendations?
- How often should one take a soil sample of one’s land if one wants to grow vegetable or graze crops?
- How does one best support biological health and diversity in soil?
- What is the effect of soil pH on plant growth?
- Why is soil biology important to soil quality?
- What are the major nutrients needed for plant growth?
- How can one use the information provided in a soil analysis to properly manage the soil and/or land?
- How does maintenance and enhancement of soil quality maintain maximum efficiency in crop productivity over time?
- What positive effects does organic matter have on soil?
- What soil conservation methods are available?
- What is the estimated cost for implementing best management practices in a given location?
- What are the environmental costs to not using best management practices for a given area?
- What causes the soil to be depleted of nutrients needed for plant growth and development?

Teacher Resources:

- Soils Judging
- Environmental and Natural Resources Career Development Event (CDE)