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Title: VISUAL SOIL ASSESSMENT (A BOOK REVEW)

Author
item Karlen, Douglas

Submitted to: Journal of Soil and Water Conservation
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/7/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: A primary goal of worldwide soil quality research and technology transfer activities has been to produce educational and assessment tools that can help improve soil management decision making. This four-volume set of books provides instructions for visual soil assessment (VSA) and guidelines for improved soil management for both crop and pastoral land in New Zealand. This VSA approach utilizes several traditional soil morphology and genesis criteria as key indicators, focuses on both inherent and dynamic properties, and includes plant response indicators. It was developed for on-farm self-determination and self-regulation and may be a useful soil quality education and assessment tool for the U.S. and other countries. Conservationists and land managers are encouraged to read these volumes and to determine how applicable the approach may be for their soil resource and land management scenarios.