AGRN 552: Pedology
The soils and landscapes of West Virginia and the northeastern United States are dynamic bodies that change in response to natural and human forces. The soils in the region—which have been and continue to be influenced by climate, vegetation, topography, and geology—possess properties that often present land users with distinct management problems. Human modification of the landscape may produce additional complications. Pedology, or the study of soil properties and processes in situ on the landscape, provides a framework for understanding both landscape evolution and land use potential. This course begins with training and practical experience on the proper field methods of soil description and site evaluation used by professional soil scientists. Participants will then embark on a week-long field trip to examine soil and land-use problems across representative land regions and soil systems of the northeastern United States, investigate morphological properties of natural and disturbed soils in the field, and evaluate these observations to develop interpretations of suitable soil use and land management.