Dynamic soil properties as a part of soil survey updates: illustration of the utility of the results from Arches National Park, Utah

TitleDynamic soil properties as a part of soil survey updates: illustration of the utility of the results from Arches National Park, Utah
Publication TypeConference Paper
Year of Publication2006
AuthorsWard J.P., Tugel A.J., Herrick JE, Remmenga M.D., Scott C., Truman D., Parslow V., Biggam P., Seybold C., Benham E.C.
Conference NameWestern Society of Soil Science
Date PublishedJune 19, 2006
ARIS Log Number198236
KeywordsArches National Park, properties, soil, survey, Utah
AbstractSampling dynamic soil properties as a part of soil survey updates can provide results which meet user needs for recognizing soil and ecosystem change. We have identified and illustrated results for three potential needs: (1) an ability to detect a functionally significant difference in soil and ecosystem properties, (2) indicators that reflect functional differences in states on an ecological site, and (3) information for Ecological Site Descriptions. On park, as well as other lands, these results will facilitate an understanding of soil and ecosystem change. They can also be used to help design assessment and monitoring systems to address a variety of objectives including avoiding relatively irreversible human-induced changes to soil and ecosystem function. Although this pilot project focused on National Park lands, the methods and types of applications described in this paper can be utilized elsewhere.