Course Outline

Module 1: Fundamentals of Soil Survey & Pedology

• Introduction to soil survey: objectives, history, and applications

• Soil-forming factors (CLORPT: Climate, Organisms, Relief, Parent material, Time) and processes

• Landscape concepts: understanding catenas, toposequences, and soil-landscape models

• Introduction to major soil classification systems (World Reference Base - WRB, USDA Soil Taxonomy)

• Case Study: How a soil survey guided a regional agricultural development project

Module 2: Soil Profile Description in the Field

• Soil profile excavation and site description (slope, vegetation, drainage)

• Identification and description of master horizons (O, A, E, B, C, R)

• Field assessment of soil physical properties: texture (by feel), structure, color (using Munsell charts), consistence, and roots/porosity

• Identification of diagnostic features: clay films, mottles, nodules, etc.

• Practical Exercise: Describing a soil pit in full detail using a standard description form

Module 3: Field Observations & Soil Classification

• Simple field tests: pH, carbonate content (HCl effervescence), redox conditions

• Using diagnostic horizons and properties to classify soils

• Step-by-step use of a soil classification key (focus on WRB Reference Soil Groups or USDA Orders)

• From profile description to a formal soil classification name

• Practical Exercise: Classifying soil profiles described on Day 2

Module 4: Soil Mapping Techniques & Survey Planning

• Principles of soil mapping: delineating map units (soil associations, complexes)

• Survey intensity and scale: reconnaissance vs. detailed surveys

• Field techniques for transect walking, augering, and boundary verification

• Using remote sensing imagery, topographic maps, and GPS in support of field mapping

• Field Exercise: Delineating soil boundaries and mapping a small area using auger points and landscape observation

Module 5: Map Compilation, Interpretation & Reporting

• From field notes to a draft soil map: legend development and cartography basics

• Introduction to creating simple digital soil maps in a GIS environment

• Writing soil map unit descriptions and interpretations (suitability for crops, engineering limitations, etc.)

• The soil survey report: structure and essential components

• Capstone Exercise: Integrate field data from the week to produce a simple soil map and a brief interpretive report for a defined land use scenario (e.g., orchard establishment or drainage planning).