Annual/Termination Reports:

[06/13/2010] [07/14/2011] [08/08/2012] [08/22/2013]

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Participants

Members Present:
Crum, James (MI); Hopkins, David (ND Chair); Kuzila, Mark (NE); Levin, Maxine (NCSS Liaison); Miller, Jerry (Administrative Adviser); Olson, Ken (IL); Owens, Phillip(IN); Ransom, Mickey (KS); Slater, Brian (OH Host); West, Larry (USDA-NRCS Representative); Burras, Lee (IA secretary)

Brief Summary of Minutes

NCERA-3 Annual Meeting Minutes and State Reports
2010-2014 Project title: Soil & Landscape Assessment, Functions & Interpretations

Accomplishments

Accomplishments:<br /> <br /> A Symposium on Soil Carbon and Green House Gas Dynamics in Agricultural Lands held at the 2009 Soil Science Society of America annual meeting in Pittsburgh, PA was Co-organized by an NCERA-3 representative. The Symposium was well attended i.e., 200 people at the Keynote address and 66 submitted abstracts. The Symposium was co-sponsored by NCERA-3, NCERA059, and NC1017.<br /> <br /> The NCERA-3 High Intensity Soil Survey Committee co-hosted the Scaling Symposium at the 2009 Soil Science Society of America conference in Pittsburgh, PA.<br /> <br /> Several states have contractual agreements with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to incorporate university characterization data into the National Soil Survey Laboratory (NSSL) Soil Characterization database. North Central Region universities have thousands of pedons that can be added to improve the national database, i.e., Missouri alone has 3017 pedons currently being transferred to the NSSL. In addition, North Dakota has submitted 750 pedons and South Dakota has just entered into a contract for FY 2011.<br /> <br /> Kansas State University is scheduled to host the biennial Soil Science Institute in summer 2010 for NRCS employees as part of their professional development.<br /> <br /> A regional benchmark catena study was initiated in MLRA 120A and 120B and covers parts of Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. This project is focused on hydropedologic processes which impact soil development.<br /> <br /> The NRCS has funded the research proposal Quantifying Dispersion Potential of North Dakota Soils: the Role of Sodium and Soluble Salt Concentrations which is relevant to land management in three MLRAs located in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota (MLRA 56, MLRA 55B. MLRA 54)<br />

Publications

See state reports in annual meeting minutes.

Impact Statements

1. The National Soil Survey Laboratory director, Dr. Larry West, indicated that several aspects of the new thrust in NRCS research including rapid carbon assessment, salinity, soil quality, and laboratory soil carbon analyses are all offshoots of discussions held with the university cooperators in NCERA-3.
2. Over 3000 soil profiles and associated soil characterization data from Missouri were added to the NSSL Soil Characterization database.
3. Because of the long term participation in training students in field soil survey techniques and soil judging, the NRCS asked their national training supervisor to solicit input from NCERA-3 members for new approaches to help train the new employees.

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Participants

Brief Summary of Minutes

NCERA3 Minutes
May 21, 2011
Foxfire Room  Crowne Plaza Resort
Ashville, NC
Meeting called to order  Acting Chair  Ken Olson at 1 pm. Members present were introduced. Minutes
of the 2010 meeting were approved as posted on NIMSS web site. State reports will be distributed with
the minutes of this meeting.
Members attending  Mickey Ransom (KS), Gerald Miller (Administrative Advisor), Lee Burras (IA), Larry
West (USDANRCS representative), Maxine Levin (USDANRCS NCSS liaison), Ken Olson (IL), Nancy
Cavallaro (USDA NIFA representative), Phillip Owens (IN), and Doug Malo (SD)
The committee was reminded that committee meeting minutes are due within 60 days of this meeting
(July 21, 2011). NCERA3 is an integrated committee with research, extension/outreach/ and teaching
activities. NCERA3 can add people to our committee from ARS and USDA. Universities can be added to
our committee when proper forms are completed (e.g., Appendix E is completed for the faculty member
desiring to be on our committee).
Introductions and Agency Reports
Administrative Advisors Report (Gerald Miller)  Current posting on NIMSS website for Email and
telephone contact information was checked by all members present. Miller will be retiring on June 30
and he currently is the interim VP for Extension Outreach as ISU. He reminded us that we need to make
sure that our NIMSS contact information is correct. Also, he announced that at the end of this meeting
that Ken Olson would become the administrative advisor for NCERA3. We were reminded that our midterm
review is to be completed by Dec 15. Appendix K will need to be completed by Ken Olson. The
minutes from our meeting and form SAES422 form will need to be completed on the NIMSS website
before the Appendix K can be completed. Minutes are to be sent in by 60 days of the meeting.
Miller indicated that we needed to identify our officers for the coming year and since we have a rotation
that is followed in the committee our officers for 20102111 are:
Chair  Phillip Owens
ViceChair  Lee Burras
Secretary  Doug Malo
Secretaryelect  Brian Slater

Accomplishments

Accomplishments:<br /> 1. Coordinate activities and set priorities among the universities for the NCSS,<br /> with increasing emphasis on interpretations and data base availability.<br /> <br /> Cooperative work with the National Soil Survey Laboratory on a soil carbon<br /> field evaluation over time (1 or 2 growing seasons) on an every other month<br /> basis is being initiated. Different cropping sequences from Sanborn Field will be compared with sites on Tucker Prairie.<br /> Illinois accomplishments include paired cultivated and uncultivated landscapes<br /> in southern Illinois with similar soils transected. Soil samples were collected<br /> with depth for soil organic C analysis.<br /> <br /> 2. Identify and prioritize common needs for soil and landscape research by Major<br /> Land Resource Areas to foster cooperative research projects and minimize duplication, with emphasis on important processes.<br /> <br /> North Dakota representatives continued participation in the terrestrial C<br /> sequestration group of the Plains CO2 Reduction Partnership (PCO2R) Phase II<br /> and preparing to establish 1200 to 1500 C sequestration monitoring benchmark<br /> sites in North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Mon In Missouri two<br /> field sites which have usually been in a corn-soybean rotation for examining the<br /> distribution of soil C have been identified: The native area is Tucker Prairie, a native tall grass prairie. Nearby, paired crop production fields are usually in a corn-soybean rotation or a 3-year rotation of corn-wheat-soybeans (soybeans<br /> double cropped in wheat stubble, 3 crops in 2 years). Soils in this area are<br /> claypans (Mexico, Putnam, Leonard). Soil C in long-term Sanborn Field plots<br /> (primarily Mexico silt loam) will be used as long-term control for similar<br /> cropping management systems. The scale of this project will be dependant of<br /> internal and external funding.<br /> <br /> Wisconsin participants have used a cone penetrometer to develop a threedimensional (3-D) map to display soil variability for part of a small private farm. Data were collected on a 20-m grid. The sampling points were<br /> georeferenced using a global positioning system (GPS). Total dry matter yield<br /> (DMY) of clover was obtained at different points in a field where we have<br /> matching soil organic carbon (SOC) content data. While the SOC levels were<br /> significantly different (p < 0.01) among sampled points, there were no<br /> significant differences in the DMY of clover ( = 0.05) when all data are<br /> considered (p = 0.0759). In this test, data analysis cut across two soil series,<br /> namely, Radford and Miami silt loam, 2-6% slopes (MyB). In consideration of<br /> the possible effect of soil variability on crop yield, the effect of SOC on clover DMY was evaluated within each soil type. Because of data limitations, we could only evaluate this effect in the MyB series at this time. Within this series, analysis of variance indicated no significant differences in clover DMY ( =0.05) (p = 0.1096) even though treatment means correlated positively with SOC<br /> (R2 = 0.88).<br /> <br /> North Dakota representatives continued participation in the terrestrial C<br /> sequestration group of the Plains CO2 Reduction Partnership (PCO2R) Phase II<br /> and preparing to establish 1200 to 1500 C sequestration monitoring benchmark<br /> sites in North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Montana over the next<br /> three years. Currently over 200 benchmark sites have been established in<br /> Sheridan County, North Dakota. The study focuses on C distribution by soil<br /> series and landscape position on CRP, native grassland and cropland.<br /> <br /> 3. Priority research in pedology needs to include work at both smaller and larger scales of resolution than obtainable in soil surveys. Focus and pool regional resources in areas, such as wetland delineations.<br /> <br /> In many parts of the Midwest open surface tile inlets are being replaced with<br /> gravel filters to reduce potential pollutants from entering the underground tile<br /> system. In Minnesota samples were taken from gravel filters installed three<br /> years prior to replace open surface tile inlets in a three dimensional grid to<br /> characterize the deposition of sediment and associated organic carbon. At one<br /> location the landscape was lacustrine with gently sloping clay loam soils and<br /> large depressions (>20 ha). At another location the landscape was glacial till<br /> with small depressions (<6 ha). At the lacustrine location, one site within the<br /> field had gravel filters chisel plowed in the fall and not at another site within the same field. At the glacial till location a single gravel filter was not tilled. Corn and soybeans in rotation were grown at both sites. Fines (<2mm) were separated from gravel samples by sieving. The percentage of gravel porosity filled with fines at the tilled site was 100% at the surface and decreased to 40% at 25cm deep (about the depth of tillage). From this depth it was a relatively constant 40% to the sampling depth of 70cm. Without tillage the gravel porosity filled with fines decreased from 30% at the surface to 15% at 70cm. At the glacial till site 15% of the gravel porosity was filled with sediment and constant to 70cm deep. Organic matter concentrations of the fines decreased from 7% at the surface to 3.4% and 5% at 70cm for the untilled and tilled sites respectively at the lacustrine location. At the glacial till location organic matter concentration decreased from 5.5% at the surface to 1% at 70cm.<br /> <br /> Three field sites for examining the spatial distribution of soil carbon have been identified in South Dakota. These include landscapes developed in till, loess, and outwash. Digital elevation models were developed for the cultivated sites using a survey grade GPS. The digital elevation models were used to generate three dimensional erosion maps for the combined effects of tillage and water erosion. Generated terrain and erosion maps were used to evaluate soil sampling sites. Slope grades over the hillslope at the till site ranged from 0 to 18 percent. Tillage erosion was estimated to be severe on the crest and shoulder positions while water erosion was estimated to be severe in the mid to lower backslope positions. Soil cores at the till cultivated site were collected from the root zone (1m) for soil characterization and classification. Soil C samples are currently being analyzed. Soil sampling at the loess and outwash sites will be initiated in the near future.<br /> <br /> The on-going experiment on soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration in<br /> eroded/scalped soil has been conducted for about 10 years at Columbus and<br /> South Charleston in Central Ohio. The soil of the study site is Miamian Silt<br /> Loam in Columbus and Crosby Silt Loam at South Charleston. Soil<br /> management treatments consist of the following: I. Main Treatment (Topsoil<br /> Depth): (i) Normal topsoil depth, (ii) Double topsoil depth, (iii) No topsoil 11. Sub-plot Treatment (Management) (i) Chemical fertilizers, (ii) Compost, (iii) Control Soil samples from 0-10 cm, 10-20 cm and 20-30 cm depths were<br /> obtained in July 2006. Samples were analyzed for bulk density, C and N<br /> concentrations. Top soil removal by simulated erosion significantly decreased<br /> SOC concentration in 10-20 cm and 20-30 cm depths in treatment with topsoil<br /> removed. As expected, application of compost increased SOC concentration in<br /> 0-10 cm layer by 39.5% in Columbus and 69.2% in South Charleston soils.<br /> Using compost had no effect on SOC concentration in 10 -20 and 20-30 cm<br /> depths. Similar trends were observed in N concentration. Soil N concentration<br /> was significantly more in 10-20 and 20-30 cm depths in treatments with normal<br /> and double topsoil depth than no topsoil. Similarly, application of compost<br /> increased soil N concentration by 4 1.5% in Columbus compared with 67.8% in<br /> South Charleston soil. These data show that use of biosolids and organic<br /> amendments can enhance SOC pool and improve quality of eroded soils.<br /> <br /> 4. Develop the scientific foundation for databases needed for soil and landscape<br /> assessment and interpretation.<br /> <br /> In Missouri a no-tillage continuous corn plot (initiated in 1971) from Sanborn<br /> Field will be used to compare to conventional tillage monoculture and crop<br /> rotation plots with full fertility, lesser fertility, and with manures. Yield and C levels will be assessed. tillage experiment with three treatments (no-till (NT), chisel plow (CP) and moldboard plow (MP)) was initiated in the spring of 1989 in southern Illinois. The plot area was previously in a tall fescue hayland for 15 years, was moderately eroded and had a 6% slope. After 12 years the surface layer (0-15 cm) subsoil (15-75 cm), and rooting zone (0- 75 cm) of all treatments had reductions in soil organic carbon (SOC) when compared to the pre-treatment values for sod. At the end of the 12-year study, the MP system had significantly less SOC in the surface layer, subsurface layer and rooting zone than the NT system at comparable depths. The difference in SOC between treatments in the tillage zone was attributed to the effects of management on erosion, disturbance, aeration and residue incorporation. For any land returning to row crop production from the Conservation Reserve Program, NT and CP system, compared to MP system, should retain more SOC and reduce CO2<br /> emissions to the atmosphere.<br /> <br /> 5. Engage in research, education and outreach activities regarding key soil<br /> processes and functions.<br /> <br /> Benchmark C monitoring sites have been established on an existing cropping<br /> systems study in southeastern North Dakota. Treatments include permanent<br /> vegetation (alfalfa), a low-diversity cropping system (corn-soybean), and a high<br /> diversity cropping system (corn-corn-soybean-winter wheat-spring wheatcanola/<br /> flax) under no-till management.<br /> <br /> In 2002 soil carbon index for cropland in Iowa was developed for the top 1<br /> meter of major soil map units. Soil C concentration of different soil horizons<br /> and bulk density were used to determine soil carbon content. The soil carbon<br /> content for different soil associations was weighed against one reference major<br /> soil association (Okoboji) to develop soil carbon index. This soil carbon index<br /> will potentially be used as a management tool to evaluate future management<br /> impact on soil carbon change of different soil association in the state.<br /> Iowa participants are continuing evaluation of different tillage systems on soil<br /> carbon content through long-term tillage studies established in 2002 across Iowa<br /> on different soil associations using five different tillage systems and two crop<br /> rotations of Corn-Soybean and Corn-Corn-Soybean rotations. In addition, in<br /> 2002-2004 several studies of tillage and N management effects on soil CO2<br /> emission and soil C change were finalized. This (2006) was the fifth year for<br /> this Indiana study. This study is on a Sebawa loam. It is poorly drained. The<br /> cropping system is continuous corn as well as corn/soybean and soybean/corn<br /> rotations. Tillage treatments are designed to leave a range of residue cover and<br /> to reflect practices currently used by many farmers as well as those which may<br /> be adopted. Treatments include: fall chisel with two secondary tillage passes;<br /> fall chisel with one secondary tillage pass; fall disk and spring field cultivator; fall strip till; and no-till. The following measurements were made: residue cover after planting, stand and height at four weeks, height at eight weeks, harvest moisture and yield. There were differences in yield between treatments for corn in rotation with soybeans. This marked the fifth time we have had a yield reduction with continuous corn with no-till, although not always statistically significant. This is in contrast to no difference between the other four tillage methods regardless of rotation. Residue cover maintained with strip till are intermediate between to no-till and the full width tillage. There were no yield differences for the soybean plots.<br /> <br /> 6. Initiate and strengthen partnerships with ancillary disciplines and sciences to inform users and the general public about the importance of the soil resource<br /> and its synergisms with water and living organisms.<br /> <br /> Topsoil was added to eroded landscape positions from the toeslope on the till<br /> site in Morris, MN (Sharon Papiernik USDA/ARS). Soil carbon distribution,<br /> crop productivity, and measurements related to soil quality will be examined on<br /> the soil movement treatments over time in relationship to paired control strips<br /> where soil was not redistributed. We also plan to establish a similar topsoil<br /> addition study on the outwash site located near Brookings, SD. These sites are<br /> being coordinated in collaboration with David Lobb (Univ of Manitoba) who<br /> has established additional sites in Manitoba. Long-term rotation (>15 year)<br /> studies are being characterized for soil carbon distribution (total, inorganic, and organic carbon; bulk density) within the root zone (1.5 m). Samples were taken at Wall, SD ( a ustic environment in western SD) this spring and are currently being analyzed. We plan to take samples this fall at Beresford, SD (a udic environment in eastern SD). Rotations at Wall are given in Table 1. All Wall rotations are no-till. The Beresford rotations are corn soybean based with<br /> various rotations including alfalfa, field pea, and spring wheat. Beresford<br /> includes no-till and conventional-till (chisel plow , disk) comparisons. Past work has examined carbon distribution in matched no-till, till, and grassed sites in central SD. Although the studies were primarily conducted to examine the impact of surface soil carbon distribution on soil physical properties I have included graphs of carbon distribution to 0.8 m corrected for bulk density. Bulk densities above 0.4 m were measured. Below 0.4 m bulk density was estimated and considered the same for all treatments for the purpose of discussion

Publications

Impact Statements

1. The National Soil Survey Laboratory director, Dr. Larry West, indicated that several aspects of the new thrust in NRCS research including rapid carbon assessment, salinity, soil quality, and laboratory soil carbon analyses were as a result of discussions held with the university cooperators in NCERA-3.
2. Over 10,000 soil profiles and associated soil characterization data from Missouri were added to the NSSL Soil Characterization data base from MO, IN, IL, IA, OH and SD.
3. NRCS asked their national training supervisor to solicit imput from members for new approaches to help train the new employees since NCERA-3 members have a long history in training students in field soil survey techniques and soil judging.
4. As a result of NCERA-3 committees persistent work on human impacted/eroded soils, the NRCS has changed both the approach and documentation documentation of eroded soils in the National Cooperaative Soil Survey program. These eroded soils are now being recognized at the soil series level in the reemarks section of the official soil series.
5. The NCERA-3 Research Priorities subcommittee conducted a survey to provide guidance for planning the direction and allocation of human resources for cooperative projects between the NRCS, local, state and federal partners, and academic cooperators in the North Central Region.
6. Conducted educational survey of regional universities related to training of soil scientists. this helped focus attention on declining sil sutudent numbers, the loss of soil science curriculum, and reduced numbers of soil faculty teaching at NC regional universities.
7. As a result of the current active participation of NCERA-3 members in Regional collegiate soil judging contests, NRCS views this activity as a critical recruiting event to encourage more students to participate in federal Soil Science and Soil Survey careers.
8. The NCERA-3 committee was a sponsor and co-organizer of the Soil Carbon and Green House Gas Dynamics in Agricultural Land symposium at ASA-SSSA meeting in Pittsburg, PA on November 3, 2009. The conference helped provide information that policy makers can use as they try to understand soil carbon sequestration and/or soil carbon loss and greenhouse gas emissions and/or storage as a result of the use and management of agricultural land and as they attempt to develop a cap and trade soil carbon credit program.

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Brief Summary of Minutes

NCERA-3 Minutes DRAFT 6-25-12
June 3 and 4, 2012
Hardin Hall - School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska
Meeting called to order  Chair  Lee Buras at 1 pm. Mark Kuzila introduced Dr. Dave Lewis, Emeritus Agronomy Professor, University of Nebraska- Lincoln. Dave was a member of the NCR  3 Committee for many years. He was in Lincoln visiting and joined the meeting for a few hours.
Because Brian Slater was unable to attend the role of secretary and secretary elect this year were switched. Mark Kuzila will serve as secretary and Brian Slater will serve as secretary elect.
The minutes from the 2011 meeting state that the 2012 meeting will be held in Omaha. Due to concerns about funding for travel, the 2012 meeting is being held in Lincoln to avoid the risk of losing money due to contractual arrangements for hotels and meeting rooms.
Those attending  Mickey Ransom (KS), Lee Burras (IA), Larry West (USDANRCS representative), Maxine Levin (USDANRCS NCSS liaison), Ken Olson (IL and Administrative Advisor), Phillip Owens (IN), and Doug Malo (SD), Mark Kuzila (NE)
Minutes of the 2011 meeting were reviewed. It was moved by Mickey ransom and seconded second by Phillip Owens that the minutes be approved. The motion passed. State reports will be attached to the minutes of this meeting.
The committee meeting minutes are due within 60 days of this meeting (August 3, 2012). NCERA3 is an integrated committee with research, extension/outreach/ and teaching activities. NCERA3 can add people to our committee from ARS and USDA. Universities can be added to our committee when proper forms are completed (e.g., Appendix E is completed for the faculty member desiring to be on our committee).
Agency Reports
Administrative Advisors Report (Ken Olson) 
Our officers for 20122113 are:
Chair  Lee Buras
ViceChair  Doug Malo
Secretary  Mark Kuzila
Secretaryelect  Brian Slater
Review of past federal budgets relating to Hatch and AFRI funds was discussed. There will be no new money for FY 2013. It is anticipated that there will be a cut of 5  10 % in the FY 2014 budget. Ken attended a national water conference where Dr. James Dobrowolski (jdobrowolski@nifa.usda.gov) spoke about the potential of a grant activity pertaining to soil, water, and air. The grant would either be a foundation or challenge grant. It is anticipated that the RFP for grant would be released for FY 2014. It is noteworthy that a consulting firm developed the NIFA plans for 2014. Dr. Sonny Ramaswamy was recently named the new Director of NIFA.
National Soils Lab/Research (Larry West)  The National Soil Survey Laboratory will be renamed the Charles E. Kellogg Soil Survey Laboratory. A ceremony will be held on June 4, 2012. USDA Deputy Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, Ann Mills will attend the dedication ceremony.
The Soil Survey Division (SSD) has been restructured. There will be a 15% cut in budget for SSD for 2012. The budget for the 2103 FY is not yet known. The number of MO offices has been reduced from 18 to 12 and the number of soil survey offices has been reduced from 140 to 124. With the restructuring there will be line-of-sight, funding and supervision, from the SSD director to the MLRA Soil Scientists. The State Soil Scientists will no longer be MO leaders. They will be responsible for state programs and activities, deliver soil information and cooperator communication.
The SSD has the following global objectives:
º Develop models of genesis and landscape distribution of soils, diagnostic horizons, and soil features as related to parent material, climate, and geomorphology
º Describe properties of soils including spatial variability of static and dynamic properties
º Develop relationships among static properties, dynamic properties, and ecosystem characteristics
º Evaluate simulation models and pedotransfer functions for prediction of soil properties and behavior
º Establish sites with extensive data for hands-on training
A major lab project currently underway is the Rapid Soil Carbon Assessment of the US for Conservation Planning (RACA). Data has been collected for 150,000 samples. Three hundred soil scientists and 22 universities have been involved in the RACA project. The challenges that remain are in data analysis, spatial extrapolation of the point data and the application to the national cooperative soil survey databases and conservation planning.
National Liaison to NCSS (Maxine Levin)  The reorganization has raised some issues with cooperators. Mickey ransom mentioned that there will be no MO office within the Great Plains. Maxine hopes that the new positions will be rethought. Many things are in flux because the SSD Director position is open. NSSC and NSSL remains to be very supportive. State Soil Scientists remain liaisons with cooperators

Town Hall meeting about soil survey is necessary to redefine a mission because people think the soil survey is at a low point. The focus has been getting areas mapped and into the web soil survey. There was no plan to continue. Our goal has not been reached. The map is the first step. Our maps do not match the intensity of current agricultural practices. The scale of our maps is not detailed enough 21st century agriculture.
Maxine asked the question. Where will the students get jobs in the NRCS soil science area?
The national soil survey conference will be held in the third week of June 2013 in Annapolis MD.
NCERA-3 Committee Reports
1. Soil Taxonomy (Miles, Malo, and Crum) Ed Nater will replace Doug Malo on the Soil taxonomy committee. Phillip Owens reported on the effort on establishing a Universal Soil Classification System for the world. The consensus of the group is to try and develop a system based on a hierarchical system. A sixteen member group is working on joining the various soil taxonomic systems into one. A meeting of the International Union of Soil Science will be held in Lincoln, NE next week. The subject of the meeting is a universal soil classification system.
2. High intensity Soil Surveys  (Owens and Olson)  Local projects but no regional activity. The committee will continue to incorporate more digital soil map information.
3. Education, Extension, and Recruitment Committee  (Slater, Crum, Kuzila, Crouch, and Malo) Undergraduate enrollments in departments of Agronomy and Soils at KSU, ISU, and SDSU are increasing. The key will be to get graduates to consider soil scientist positions in the NRCS. Salaries for graduates are competitive. Many NCR universities are moving to reduce the number of credit hours needed to graduate from 128 to 120. The NCERA-3 group has requested that the NRCS provide information on how our students are doing as NRCS employees and comments on the coursework that the students have taken. The NCERA-3 group has also suggested that the NRCS increase the number of hours of soil science courses necessary to qualify as a soil conservationist. A national soils field camp, a six week course, is being planned by the SSSA. The camp will likely be held at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point.
4. Advisory Panel to Director of Soil Survey  (Ransom)  This committee was not highly involved in the reorganization of the Soil Survey Division. Mickey stated that when given the opportunity to provide input the Advisory Panel to Director of Soil Survey failed in the response. At the recent meeting of the south region soil survey conference the soil survey cooperators group proposed that a national level soil survey cooperators committee be established. The NCERA-3 agrees with that proposal and will discuss it further under new business. provided by the committee.
5. National Data Base  (Olson)  The project continues and more states are providing their lab data to the data base. From the NCR, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas have entered their data to the data base.
Old Business  Doug Malo led a discussion about the proposed Benchmark soils bulletins. Doug showed the group a draft copy of the bulletin for the Houdek Soil from South Dakota. Doug has done some extensive work on the project and he will provide his work as a template for others in the region.
New Business  The group discussed the national level soil survey cooperators committee proposed by the south region cooperators group. Since the soil survey is at a crucial time in its history, the NCERA3 group thinks it is important for such a committee to be formed. Phillip Owens moved and Doug Malo seconded a motion to support the proposal for a national level soil survey cooperators committee with the addition that the NCERA3 will be the group that determines the representatives from the north central region. The motion passed. The group also agreed that if the committee is formed, Mickey Ransom and Phillip Owens will serve as the first representatives of the north central region.
The NCERA3 group supports the NRCS plan to send a letter communicating the importance of university cooperation in soil survey to our college-leaders. Any approach that makes it easier for university leaders to support pedology research is highly valuable as universities continue to downsize and re-prioritize research. We ask NRCS to recognize that the appropriate college leader is sometimes the Dean, sometimes the Director of the Experiment Station and sometimes has a different title. We will make sure the National Soil Survey Center has the appropriate contacts.
The NCERA3 group would like to emphasize the importance of discretionary funding from NSSC  even if it is a small amount  being available to university cooperators. In many cases that funding is critical to insure we can be active participants in cooperative soil survey activities  both in state and meetings such as these. It also shows our administrators that there is value in our being a cooperator
The NCERA3 group will submit a renewal for NCERA-3 in 2014. One of our priorities will be productivity indices tied to soil survey since this is a topic of growing importance throughout north central states
Next meeting of the committee will be held the third week in June 2013 during the national conference in Annapolis MD
Lee Buras will send out a reminder to those who have not filed a state report.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Kuzila
Secretary

Accomplishments

Accomplishments:<br /> 1. Coordinate activities and set priorities among the universities for the NCSS, with increasing emphasis on interpretations and data base availability.<br /> <br /> Cooperative work with the National Soil Survey Laboratory on a soil carbon field evaluation over time (1 or 2 growing seasons) on an every other month basis is being initiated. Different cropping sequences from Sanborn Field will be compared with sites on Tucker Prairie. <br /> Illinois accomplishments include paired cultivated and uncultivated landscapes in southern Illinois with similar soils transected. Soil samples were collected with depth for soil organic C analysis. <br /> <br /> 2. Identify and prioritize common needs for soil and landscape research by Major Land Resource Areas to foster cooperative research projects and minimize duplication, with emphasis on important processes.<br /> <br /> North Dakota representatives continued participation in the terrestrial C sequestration group of the Plains CO2 Reduction Partnership (PCO2R) Phase II and preparing to establish 1200 to 1500 C sequestration monitoring benchmark sites in North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Mon In Missouri two field sites which have usually been in a corn-soybean rotation for examining the distribution of soil C have been identified: The native area is Tucker Prairie, a native tall grass prairie. Nearby, paired crop production fields are usually in a corn-soybean rotation or a 3-year rotation of corn-wheat-soybeans (soybeans double cropped in wheat stubble, 3 crops in 2 years). Soils in this area are claypans (Mexico, Putnam, Leonard). Soil C in long-term Sanborn Field plots (primarily Mexico silt loam) will be used as long-term control for similar cropping management systems. The scale of this project will be dependant of internal and external funding. <br /> Wisconsin participants have used a cone penetrometer to develop a three-dimensional (3-D) map to display soil variability for part of a small private farm. Data were collected on a 20-m grid. The sampling points were georeferenced using a global positioning system (GPS). Total dry matter yield (DMY) of clover was obtained at different points in a field where we have matching soil organic carbon (SOC) content data. While the SOC levels were significantly different (p < 0.01) among sampled points, there were no significant differences in the DMY of clover ( = 0.05) when all data are considered (p = 0.0759). In this test, data analysis cut across two soil series, namely, Radford and Miami silt loam, 2-6% slopes (MyB). In consideration of the possible effect of soil variability on crop yield, the effect of SOC on clover DMY was evaluated within each soil type. Because of data limitations, we could only evaluate this effect in the MyB series at this time. Within this series, analysis of variance indicated no significant differences in clover DMY ( = 0.05) (p = 0.1096) even though treatment means correlated positively with SOC (R2 = 0.88). <br /> North Dakota representatives continued participation in the terrestrial C sequestration group of the Plains CO2 Reduction Partnership (PCO2R) Phase II and preparing to establish 1200 to 1500 C sequestration monitoring benchmark sites in North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Montana over the next three years. Currently over 200 benchmark sites have been established in Sheridan County, North Dakota. The study focuses on C distribution by soil series and landscape position on CRP, native grassland and cropland. <br /> 3. Priority research in pedology needs to include work at both smaller and larger scales of resolution than obtainable in soil surveys. Focus and pool regional resources in areas, such as wetland delineations.<br /> <br /> In many parts of the Midwest open surface tile inlets are being replaced with gravel filters to reduce potential pollutants from entering the underground tile system. In Minnesota samples were taken from gravel filters installed three years prior to replace open surface tile inlets in a three dimensional grid to characterize the deposition of sediment and associated organic carbon. At one location the landscape was lacustrine with gently sloping clay loam soils and large depressions (>20 ha). At another location the landscape was glacial till with small depressions (<6 ha). At the lacustrine location, one site within the field had gravel filters chisel plowed in the fall and not at another site within the same field. At the glacial till location a single gravel filter was not tilled. Corn and soybeans in rotation were grown at both sites. Fines (<2mm) were separated from gravel samples by sieving. The percentage of gravel porosity filled with fines at the tilled site was 100% at the surface and decreased to 40% at 25cm deep (about the depth of tillage). From this depth it was a relatively constant 40% to the sampling depth of 70cm. Without tillage the gravel porosity filled with fines decreased from 30% at the surface to 15% at 70cm. At the glacial till site 15% of the gravel porosity was filled with sediment and constant to 70cm deep. Organic matter concentrations of the fines decreased from 7% at the surface to 3.4% and 5% at 70cm for the untilled and tilled sites respectively at the lacustrine location. At the glacial till location organic matter concentration decreased from 5.5% at the surface to 1% at 70cm. <br /> Three field sites for examining the spatial distribution of soil carbon have been Identified in South Dakota. These include landscapes developed in till, loess, and outwash. Digital elevation models were developed for the cultivated sites using a survey grade GPS. The digital elevation models were used to generate three dimensional erosion maps for the combined effects of tillage and water erosion. Generated terrain and erosion maps were used to evaluate soil sampling sites. Slope grades over the hillslope at the till site ranged from 0 to 18 percent. Tillage erosion was estimated to be severe on the crest and shoulder positions while water erosion was estimated to be severe in the mid to lower backslope positions. Soil cores at the till cultivated site were collected from the root zone (1m) for soil characterization and classification. Soil C samples are currently being analyzed. Soil sampling at the loess and outwash sites will be initiated in the near future. <br /> The on-going experiment on soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration in eroded/scalped soil has been conducted for about 10 years at Columbus and South Charleston in Central Ohio. The soil of the study site is Miamian Silt Loam in Columbus and Crosby Silt Loam at South Charleston. Soil management treatments consist of the following: I. Main Treatment (Topsoil Depth): (i) Normal topsoil depth, (ii) Double topsoil depth, (iii) No topsoil 11. Sub-plot Treatment (Management) (i) Chemical fertilizers, (ii) Compost, (iii) Control Soil samples from 0-10 cm, 10-20 cm and 20-30 cm depths were obtained in July 2006. Samples were analyzed for bulk density, C and N concentrations. Top soil removal by simulated erosion significantly decreased SOC concentration in 10-20 cm and 20-30 cm depths in treatment with topsoil removed. As expected, application of compost increased SOC concentration in 0-10 cm layer by 39.5% in Columbus and 69.2% in South Charleston soils. Using compost had no effect on SOC concentration in 10 -20 and 20-30 cm depths. Similar trends were observed in N concentration. Soil N concentration was significantly more in 10-20 and 20-30 cm depths in treatments with normal and double topsoil depth than no topsoil. Similarly, application of compost increased soil N concentration by 4 1.5% in Columbus compared with 67.8% in South Charleston soil. These data show that use of biosolids and organic amendments can enhance SOC pool and improve quality of eroded soils. <br /> 4. Develop the scientific foundation for databases needed for soil and landscape assessment and interpretation.<br /> In Missouri a no-tillage continuous corn plot (initiated in 1971) from Sanborn Field will be used to compare to conventional tillage monoculture and crop rotation plots with full fertility, lesser fertility, and with manures. Yield and C levels will be assessed. tillage experiment with three treatments (no-till (NT), chisel plow (CP) and moldboard plow (MP)) was initiated in the spring of 1989 in southern Illinois. The plot area was previously in a tall fescue hayland for 15 years, was moderately eroded and had a 6% slope. After 12 years the surface layer (0-15 cm) subsoil (15-75 cm), and rooting zone (0- 75 cm) of all treatments had reductions in soil organic carbon (SOC) when compared to the pre-treatment values for sod. At the end of the 12-year study, the MP system had significantly less SOC in the surface layer, subsurface layer and rooting zone than the NT system at comparable depths. The difference in SOC between treatments in the tillage zone was attributed to the effects of management on erosion, disturbance, aeration and residue incorporation. For any land returning to row crop production from the Conservation Reserve Program, NT and CP system, compared to MP system, should retain more SOC and reduce CO2 emissions to the atmosphere. <br /> <br /> 5. Engage in research, education and outreach activities regarding key soil processes and functions.<br /> <br /> Benchmark C monitoring sites have been established on an existing cropping systems study in southeastern North Dakota. Treatments include permanent vegetation (alfalfa), a low-diversity cropping system (corn-soybean), and a high diversity cropping system (corn-corn-soybean-winter wheat-spring wheat-canola/flax) under no-till management. <br /> In 2002 soil carbon index for cropland in Iowa was developed for the top 1 meter of major soil map units. Soil C concentration of different soil horizons and bulk density were used to determine soil carbon content. The soil carbon content for different soil associations was weighed against one reference major soil association (Okoboji) to develop soil carbon index. This soil carbon index will potentially be used as a management tool to evaluate future management impact on soil carbon change of different soil association in the state. <br /> Iowa participants are continuing evaluation of different tillage systems on soil carbon content through long-term tillage studies established in 2002 across Iowa on different soil associations using five different tillage systems and two crop rotations of Corn-Soybean and Corn-Corn-Soybean rotations. In addition, in 2002-2004 several studies of tillage and N management effects on soil CO2 emission and soil C change were finalized. This (2006) was the fifth year for this Indiana study. This study is on a Sebawa loam. It is poorly drained. The cropping system is continuous corn as well as corn/soybean and soybean/corn rotations. Tillage treatments are designed to leave a range of residue cover and to reflect practices currently used by many farmers as well as those which may be adopted. Treatments include: fall chisel with two secondary tillage passes; fall chisel with one secondary tillage pass; fall disk and spring field cultivator; fall strip till; and no-till. The following measurements were made: residue cover after planting, stand and height at four weeks, height at eight weeks, harvest moisture and yield. There were differences in yield between treatments for corn in rotation with soybeans. This marked the fifth time we have had a yield reduction with continuous corn with no-till, although not always statistically significant. This is in contrast to no difference between the other four tillage methods regardless of rotation. Residue cover maintained with strip till are intermediate between to no-till and the full width tillage. There were no yield differences for the soybean plots. <br /> <br /> 6. Initiate and strengthen partnerships with ancillary disciplines and sciences to inform users and the general public about the importance of the soil resource and its synergisms with water and living organisms.<br /> <br /> Topsoil was added to eroded landscape positions from the toeslope on the till site in Morris, MN (Sharon Papiernik USDA/ARS). Soil carbon distribution, crop productivity, and measurements related to soil quality will be examined on the soil movement treatments over time in relationship to paired control strips where soil was not redistributed. We also plan to establish a similar topsoil addition study on the outwash site located near Brookings, SD. These sites are being coordinated in collaboration with David Lobb (Univ of Manitoba) who has established additional sites in Manitoba. Long-term rotation (>15 year) studies are being characterized for soil carbon distribution (total, inorganic, and organic carbon; bulk density) within the root zone (1.5 m). Samples were taken at Wall, SD ( a ustic environment in western SD) this spring and are currently being analyzed. We plan to take samples this fall at Beresford, SD (a udic environment in eastern SD). Rotations at Wall are given in Table 1. All Wall rotations are no-till. The Beresford rotations are corn soybean based with various rotations including alfalfa, field pea, and spring wheat. Beresford includes no-till and conventional-till (chisel plow , disk) comparisons. Past work has examined carbon distribution in matched no-till, till, and grassed sites in central SD. Although the studies were primarily conducted to examine the impact of surface soil carbon distribution on soil physical properties I have included graphs of carbon distribution to 0.8 m corrected for bulk density. Bulk densities above 0.4 m were measured. Below 0.4 m bulk density was estimated and considered the same for all treatments for the purpose of discussion. <br /> <br />

Publications

Golosov, V.N, Gennadiyev, A.N., K.R. Olson,M.V. Markelov, A. P. Zhidkin, Yu. G. Chendev, and R. G. Kovach. 2011. Spatial and temporal features of soil erosion in the forest-steppe zone of the East-European Plain. Eurasian Soil Science 44 (7):794-801. <br /> <br /> Olson, K.R., M. Reed and L W. Morton. 2011. Multifunctional Mississippi River leveed bottomlands and settling basins: Sny Island Levee Drainage District. J of Soil and Water Conservation 66 (4) :104A-110A.<br /> <br /> Olson, K.R., A.N. Gennadiyev, A.P. Zhidkin and M.V. Markelov. 2011 Impact of land use change and soil erosion in Upper Mississippi River Valley on soil organic carbon retention and greenhouse gas emissions. Soil Science. 176 (9): 449-458.<br /> <br /> Olson, K.R. and L W. Morton. 2012. The impacts of 2011 man-induced levee breaches on agricultural lands of the Mississippi River Valley J. Soil Water Conservation.67 (1):5A-10A.<br /> <br /> Olson, K.R. and L. W. Morton. 2012. The effects of 2011 Ohio and Mississippi River Valley flooding on Cairo, Illinois area. JSWC 67 (2): 42A-46A. <br />

Impact Statements

1. 1. The National Soil Survey Laboratory director, Dr. Larry West, indicated that several aspects of the new thrust in in NRCS research including rapid carbon assessment, salinity, soil quality, and laboratory soil carbon analyses were all offshoots of discussions held with university cooperators in NCERA-3.
2. 2. Over 3000 soil profiles and associated soil characterization data from Missouri were added to the NSSL Soil Characterization database. This is in addition to the 7000 soil profiles and associated soil characterization data were previously uploaded by IL, IN, OH, SD and IA.
3. 3. Because of the long term participation in training students in field soil survey techniques and soil judging, the NRCS asked their national training supervisor to solicit input from NCERA-3 members for new approaches to help train the new employees.
4. 4. As a result of the NCERA-3 Committees persistent work on human impacted/eroded soils, including the presentations to the Soil Taxonomy and Standards committees at the regional and national soil survey conferences and publishing articles in Soil Survey Horizons, the NRCS has changed both the approach and the documentation of eroded soils in the National Cooperative Soil Survey program. These eroded soils are now being recognized at the soil series level in the remarks section of the official soil series. NCERA-3 committee members made an invited presentation on classification of human impacted soils at 18th World Congress of Soil Science in an attempt to get other countries to include human impact/eroded soils in their classification systems.
5. 5. The NCERA-3 Research Priorities Subcommittee conducted a survey to provide guidance for planning the direction and allocation of human resources for cooperative projects between the NRCS-Soil Survey Division, local, state and federal partners, and academic cooperators in the North Central Region. A nine question survey querying the cooperators on present conditions and future directions was sent out to the 13 representatives from each of the Land Grant Universities in the region. Seven cooperators responded (54%). This survey has sparked interest across the country as other academic participants found out about it. The survey has been passed on to Mike Golden at the National level for consideration for further decimation amongst NRCS personnel. The survey will also be forwarded to academic participants in the other regions (Northeastern, Southern, and Western), hoping to gather a larger pool of respondents for statistical evaluation.
6. 6. As a result of presentations and discussion at the 2006 NCSS Conference (Medora, ND), the NRCS has reopened negotiations with the USGS to cooperate in a national geochemical landscape initiative. Two benchmark catena trace element studies were initiated in Indiana and Illinois to provide baseline data related to soil processes.
7. 7. Conducted educational survey of regional universities related to training of soil scientist. This help focus attention on the declining soil student numbers, the loss of soil science curriculum, and reduced numbers of soil faculty teaching at regional universities.
8. 8. As a result of active NCERA-3 participation from 2004 to 2011 in Regional collegiate soil judging contests, NRCS views this activity as a critical recruiting event to encourage more students to participate in federal Soil Science and Soil Survey careers. As a result of active support by NCERA-3 members and NRCS cooperation, the Smithsonian Soils Exhibit in Washington DC opened July 18, 2008 for 18 months with specific information on the benefits of no-till and soil survey information. This exhibit introduced the field of Soil Science to over 1 million visitors a year.
9. 9. The NCERA-3 committee is a sponsor and co-organizer of the Soil Carbon and Green House Gas Dynamics in Agricultural Land symposium at ASA-SSSA meeting (in Pittsburgh, PA on November 3, 2009). A total of 60 abstracts, including some from NCERA-3 members, were submitted for the oral and topic poster sessions. The conference helped to provide information that policy makers can use as they try to understand soil carbon sequestration and/or soil carbon loss and greenhouse gas emissions and/or storage as a result the use and management of agricultural land and as they attempt to develop a cap and trade soil carbon credit program.

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Report Information

Participants

Brief Summary of Minutes

SAES-224 Multistate Research Activity Accomplishments Report
Project No. & Title NCERA003 Soil and Landscape Assessment, Function & Interpretation
Period Covered: October 2012 to September 2013
Date of Report: August 20, 2013
Annual Meeting Date: Sunday, June 16, 2013
Participants: C. Lee Burras, ISU; Nancy Cavallaro, NIFA-USDA; David Hopkins, NDSU; Mark Kuzila, UNL; Maxine Levin, NCSS; Cameron Loerch, NSSC-NRCS; Doug Malo, SDSU; Ken Olson, UI; Phillip Owens, PU; Mickey Ransom, KSU; Brian Slater, OSU; Candiss Williams, NSSC-NRCS

Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting
NCERA-3 met on June 16 in the Board Room of the Loews Hotel in Annapolis Maryland. The meeting was held in conjunction with the 2013 National Cooperative Soil Survey Conference on June 16 to June 20, 2013 at Loews Hotel in Annapolis, Maryland. The meeting was called to order by Doug Malo at 9 am. Introductions were made. It was moved to approve the minutes from the 2012 annual meeting. The motion passed. Ken Olson gave the administrative advisers report, noting the current and historical importance of NCERA-3 and outlined likely support levels for pedology through USDA. The message was one that noted funding streams remain although funds available are limited. Cameron Loerch gave the National Soil Survey Center Laboratory and Research report. He noted that Dr. Larry West had retired and reported on the labs 2012-2013 activities and special projects (e.g., the Rapid Carbon Assessment, MIR (Mid-Infrared) methods for predicting calcium carbonate equivalent in soils, new versions of lab methods manuals, National Wetlands Condition Assessment, and others). Maxine Levin reported on the impacts of the restructuring of the SSD and NRCS funding conditions for 2013-2014. Other NRCS initiatives (e.g., Soil Health and Food Security, Dynamic Soil Properties, Soil Health Tools, and Soil Ecosystems and Ecological Site Updates) were briefly mentioned. Nancy Cavallaro reported on NIFA funding and opportunities for 2013 and 2014. There were five NCERA-3 Committee reports: Soil Taxonomy; High Intensity Soil Surveys; Education, Extension & Recruitment; Advisory Panel; and National Database. Each committee noted meaningful activities and progress (e.g., Field Guide to Soil Taxonomy and the release of Web Soil Survey 3.0). Old Business focused on the progress of benchmark soil bulletins. New Business focused on our project renewal. The timelines were discussed and we agreed to prepare a draft project proposal by Aug 15 to send to the committee. Mark Kuzila, Brian Slater, and Doug Malo will prepare the draft. The final project renewal form is to be submitted in September. One of the priorities in the new project will be soil productivity indices that are tied to soil survey. The NCERA-3 group again supported NRCSs plan to send a letter communicating the importance of university cooperation in soil survey to our college-leaders. The NCERA-3 emphasized the importance of discretionary funding from NSSC  even if it is a small amount  being available to university cooperators. The next meeting of the committee will be held the third week in June 2014 during the regional NCSS conference in Ames, IA.
Objectives and Accomplishments
Objective 1: Coordinate activities and set priorities among the universities and Natural resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for the National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS), with emphasis on interpretations and data base availability.
This task is one where NCERA-3 universities have consistently had significant accomplishments over the long term. For 2013, nine of the NCERA-3 universities reported updates and/or improvements in their respective states cooperative soil survey databases and interpretations. Examples of better databases or interpretations include:
(1) Integrating experiment station pedon descriptions and data into NRCSs national database. In many cases this includes hundreds of pedons.
(2) Improving yield predictions and/or soil productivity indices for major crops.
(3) Discovering and/or improving hydrology-morphology relationships.
(4) Documenting natural and anthropogenic geochemistry of individual series as well as catenas.
(5) Evaluating novel amendments such as biochar and documenting how they affect pedology and land management.
(6) Identifying dynamic soil properties as well as their variability across soil map units and regions.
(7) Documenting the effect on soils of flooding along the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers.
Objective 2: Identify and prioritize common needs for soil and landscape research by Major Land Resource Areas (MLRA) to foster cooperative research projects and minimize duplication, with emphasis on important processes.
Accomplishments tend to be highly state specific with several states reporting strong progress in a particular MLRA on a project jointly identified by the NRCS-MLRA offices and university personnel (e.g., evaluating benchmark catenas as impacted by modern farming practices, benchmark soil characterization and integration of pedon data into the national data base, P loading on soils, prairie to forest transition impacts on soils, developing Digital Soil Mapping Methods (DSM) for soil survey updates).
Objective 3: Priority research in pedology needs to include work at both smaller and larger scales of resolution than obtainable in soil surveys. Focus and pool regional resources in areas, such as wetland delineations.
Accomplishments in this area tend to be highly state specific only a few states reporting direct research that examines scale accuracy and/or precision (e.g., suitability of soil survey data/maps for salinity and drainage risk assessment and management decisions).
Objective 4: Develop the scientific foundation or databases needed for soil and landscape assessment and interpretations.
This is analogous to objective 1 in that each university has a strong history and continuing mandate to improve the science behind soil assessment and interpretations. Not surprisingly some states focused more on the science of soil as a cropping media (e.g., use of Digital Soil Mapping, DSM, methods for soil attribute prediction, effects of land use and management on soil carbon stocks) while other states reported more on soils as a component of the water cycle (e.g., evaluation of soil moisture sensors for monitoring hydrology and controlling wastewater application within onsite systems, site and soil evaluation methods and designs for onsite wastewater treatment). Yet other states focused more on the impacts of soil management and use (e.g., impacts of biochar and waste water additions on soil health, long-term tillage impacts on soil properties and crop yields ).
Objective 5: Engage in research, education, and outreach activities regarding key soil processes and functions.
This is an area of excellence for the NCERA-3 universities. Each state reported noteworthy research, exceptional teaching of pedology and related areas including soil judging and meaningful outreach. Example successes include many refereed publications (see list below), thousands of student credit hours in soil science (all of the universities, see list below), and  in most states - one or more extension publication related to pedology.
Objective 6: Initiate and/or strengthen partnerships with ancillary disciplines and sciences to inform users and the general public about the importance of the soil resource and its synergisms with water and living organisms.
Accomplishments in Task 6 mirror those of Task 5 with the most significant challenge being growing demand in traditional partnerships coupled with decreasing university personnel makes it increasingly difficult for NCERA-3 faculty to engage new segments of the public. Overall, though Task 6 is one of successful accomplishments (e.g., data driven agriculture for the smart-farm).
Impacts
The NCERA-3 universities continue to excel in pedology even as they have experienced reductions in faculty numbers and internal and external funding for research and extension. They continue to graduate students well qualified to work in soil survey and to make soil interpretations (see list of classes and number of students taught below). NCERA-3 faculty continue to engage users of soil information across the agricultural, environmental, and scientific sectors. They continue to publish meaningful research. During the last reporting period faculty published 38 peer reviewed paper, book chapters, and extension publications (see publication list below). In addition during the 2012 and 2103 reporting period more than 50 different extension/outreach presentations were made by NCERA-3 faculty.
Refereed publications (research, outreach, and teaching)
1. Burras, C.L., M. Nyasmi and L. Michael Butler. 2013. Ch. 10. Soils, human wealth and health  a complicated relationship. In: E.C. Brevik & L.C. Burgess (Editors). Soils and Human Health. CRC Press/Taylor & Francis. p. 215-226.
2. Burras, C.L., Y. Chendev, M. Ibrahim, B. Larabee and T. Sauer. 2013 Human-induced soil change in Iowa: Two contrasting examples.. Getting into Soil & Water 2013. Iowa Water Center & Soil & Water Conservation Club, Iowa State University, p. 18-21.
3. Burras, C.L. 2012. Unintended impacts on soils from long-term farming in Iowa. Getting into Soil & Water 2012. Iowa Water Center & Soil & Water Conservation Club, Iowa State University, p. 24-25.
4. Burras, C.L. and R.K. Owen. 2012. CSR2- A practical application of modern pedology in Iowa, USA. Proc. of the International Scientific-Practical Conference of Soil Science  Modern Issues & Teaching Methodologies. National University of Life & Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Kiev. P. 292-296.
5. Burras, C.L. and R.K. Owen. 2012. CSR2  Soil productivity rating for cropland in Iowa, USA. Sci. Herald Natl Univ Life Env Sci. Ukraine Series of Agron. 176:167-170.
6. Chendev, Y.G., C.L. Burras and T.J. Sauer. 2012. Transformation of forest soils in Iowa (United States) under the impact of long-term agricultural development. Eurasion Soil Sci. 45:357-367.
7. Chintala, R., D. E. Clay, T.E. Schumacher, D.D. Malo, and J.L. Julson. 2013. Optimization of Oxygen parameters for analyzing carbon and nitrogen in biochar materials. Analytical Letters 46(3):532-538.
8. Chintala, R., J. Mollinedo, T.E. Schumacher, D.D. Malo, and J.L. Julson. 2013. Effect of Biochar on Chemical Properties of Acidic Soil. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science. DOI:10.1080/03650340.2013.789870.
9. Hamilton, E.J., Miles, R.J., Lukaszewska, K.M., Remley, M., Massie, M, and D. G. Blevins. 2012. Liming of two acidic soils improved grass tetany ratio of stockpiled tall fescue with increasing plant available phosphorus. Journal of Plant Nutrition 35:1-14
10. He, Y., T. DeSutter, L. Prunty, D. Hopkins, X. Jia, and D. Wysocki. 2012. Evaluation of 1:5 soil to water extract electrical conductivity methods. Geoderma 185-186: 12-17.
11. Hopkins, D., K. Chambers, A. Fraase, Y. He, K. Larson, L. Malum, L. Sande, J. Schulte, E. Sebesta, D. Strong, E. Viall, and R. Utter. 2012. Evaluating salinity and sodium levels on soils prior to drain tile installation: a case study. Soil Horizons 53 (4): 24-29.
12. Hussain, I. and K.R. Olson. 2012. Factor analysis of tillage effects on soil properties of Grantsburg soils in Southern Illinois under corn and soybean. Pakistan Journal of Botany 44(2):795-800.
13. Ibrahim, M. and C.L. Burras. 2012. Clay movement in sand columns and its pedological ramifications. Soil Horizons doi: 10.2136/sh12-01-0004.
14. Ibrahim, M. and C.L. Burras. 2013. Distribution and origin of argillic horizons across Iowa  A novel hypothesis. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 77:580-590. doi: 10.2136/sssaj2012.0044.
15. Lindbo, D.L., Malo, D.D., and Robinson, C. 2012. Chapter 5  Soil Classification, Soil Survey, and Interpretations of Soil. In Know Soils: Know Life. D.L. Lindbo, D.A. Kozlowski, and C. Robinson. Soils Science Society of America. 5585 Guilford Road, Madison, WI 53711-5801. ISBN: 978-0-89118-954-1.
16. Liu, X., C.L. Burras, Y.S. Kravchenko, A. Duran, T. Huffman, H. Morras, G. Studdert, X. Zhang, R.M. Cruse and X. Yuan. 2012. Overview of Mollisols in the world: Distribution, land use and management. Can. J. Soil Sci. 92:483-402.
17. Malo, D. 2013. Identifying Potential Iron Chlorosis Soils for Soybean Production. In Clay, D.E., C.G. Carlson, S.A. Clay, L. Wagner, D. Deneke, and C. Hay (eds). iGrow Soybean: Best Management Practices for Soybean Production. South Dakota State University, SDSU Extension, Brookings, SD.
18. Malo, D.D., C.L. Reese, and D.E. Clay. 2013. Soils Laboratory Manual. 45th Edition. Plant Sci. Dept. SDSU. Brookings 57007-2141.
19. Malo, D.D. 2013. Introductory Soils. 13th Edition. Plant Science Department, College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, South Dakota State University. Brookings 57007-2141.
20. Malo, D.D. 2012. Soil Productivity Ratings and Estimated Yields for Lake County, South Dakota. TB102. South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station. Plant Science Department. College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences. South Dakota State University. Brookings. 57007-2141.
21. Mastin, C.B., J.D. Edwards, C.D. Barton, A.D. Karathanasis, C.T. Agouridis and R.C. Warner. 2012. Development and Deployment of a Bioreactor for the Removal of Sulfate and Manganese from Circumneutral Coal Mine Drainage. Pp. 121-140. In: P.G. Antolli and Z. Liu (eds.); Bioreactors: Design, Properties and Applications. Nova Science Publishers: Hauppauge, NY.
22. Morton, L.W. and K.R. Olson. 2013. Birds Point  New Madrid Floodway: Redesign, Reconstruction and Restoration. J. Soil Water Conservation 68: 35A-40A.
23. Olson, K.R., A. N. Gennadiyev, A. P. Zhidkin, M. V. Markelov, V.N. Golosov and J. M. Lang. 2013. Magnetic tracer methods to determine cropland erosion rates. Catena. 104:103-110.
24. Olson, K.R. and L W Morton. 2013. Restoration of 2011 Flood Damaged Birds PointNew Madrid Floodway. J. Soil Water Conservation 68: 13A-18A.
25. Olson, K.R. 2013. Soil organic carbon sequestration in U.S. cropland: Protocol development. Geoderma 195-196: 201-206.
26. Olson, K.R., S.A. Ebelhar and J.M. Lang. 2013. Effects of 24 years of tillage on SOC and crop productivity. Special edition. Soil Management for Sustainable Agriculture 2013. Applied and Environmental Soil Science 2013 (1):1-10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/617504
27. Olson, K.R. A. N. Gennadiyev, R. G. Kovach and J. M. Lang. 2013. The use of fly ash to determine the extent of sediment transport on nearly level western Illinois landscapes. Soil Science 178 (1): 24-28.
28. Olson, K.R. and L W Morton. 2013. Impacts of 2011 Len Small levee breach on private and public lands. J. Soil Water Conservation.68 (4): 89A-95A. .
29. Olson, K.R. and L W Morton. 2013. Soil and Crop Damages as a result of Levee Breaches on Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering 3 (3): 1-20.
30. Olson, K.R. and L W. Morton. 2012. The impacts of 2011 man-induced levee breaches on agricultural lands of the Mississippi River Valley J. Soil Water Conservation.67 (1):5A-10A.
31. Olson, K.R. and L. W. Morton. 2012. The effects of 2011 Ohio and Mississippi River Valley flooding on Cairo, Illinois area. J. Soil Water Conservation. 67 (2): 42A-46A.
32. Olson, K.R., A. N. Gennadiyev, A.P. Zhidkin and M.V. Markelov. 2012. Impact of land use change, slope and erosion on soil organic carbon retention and storage USA. Soil Science. 177(4): 269-278.
33. Sims A, Horton J, Gajaraj S, McIntosh S, Miles RJ, Mueller R, Reed R, Hu ZQ. 2012. Temporal and spatial distributions of ammonia-oxidizing archaea and bacteria and their ratio as an indicator of oligotrophic conditions in natural wetlands. Water Res. 46(13): 4121-4129
34. Subburayalu, S K., and B. K. Slater. 2013 (in press). Soil Series Mapping By Knowledge Discovery from an Ohio County Soil Map. Soil Science Society of America Journal. sssaj2012.0321 (https://www.soils.org/publications/sssaj/justpublished, checked 6/10/2013).
35. Tirado-Corbala, R., B.K. Slater, and W. Dick. 2013 (in press). Hydrologic Properties and Leachate Nutrient Responses of Soil Columns Collected from Gypsum-Treated Fields. Soil & Tillage Research.
36. Thompson, Y.L., E.M. DAngelo, A.D. Karathanasis, and B. Sandefur. 2012. Plant Community Composition as a Function of Geochemistry and Hydrology in three Appalachian Wetlands. Ecohydrology 5: 389-400.
37. Veenstra, J.J. and C.L. Burras 2012. Effects of agriculture on the classification of Black Soils in the Midwestern United States. Can. J. Soil Sci. 92:403-411.
38. Veum, K.S., K.W. Goyne, R.J. Kremer, R.J. Miles, and K.A. Sudduth. 2013. Biological indicators of soil quality and soil organic matter characteristics in an agricultural management continuum. Biogeochemistry DOI 10.1007/s10533-013-9868-7. Published online 01 June 2013.
Teaching (2009-2013)
Course, Credit Hours, and Number of Students

Advanced Soil Genesis and Classification, 2-3 credits, 12 students
Advanced Soil Genesis, 3 credits, 22 students
Advanced Soil Genesis, Chungnam National University, South Korea, 3 credits, 22 students
Advanced Soil Judging, 1 credit, 15 students
Clay Mineralogy, 3 credits, 19 students
Earths Natural Resources Systems, 3 credits, 32 students
Environmental Soil Management, 3 credits, 28 students
Environmental Soil Science, 3 credits, 60 Students
Field Experience: Interpretation of field soils, 2 credits, 11 students
Field Studies in Pedology, 2 credits, 5 students
Genesis of Soil Landscapes, 4 credits, 72 students
Great Plains Field Pedology, 4 credits, 45 students
Integrated Natural Resource Management, 3 credits, 259 students
Introduction to Soil Science, 3-4 credits, 1786 students
Pedology, 3 credits, 14 students
Puerto Rico Soil and Land use Field Course, 2 credits, 7 students
Rural Real Estate Appraisal, 3 credits, 106 students
Soil and Water Conservation and Management, 3 credits, 197 students
Soil Evaluation, 1 credit, 52 students
Soil Formation and Transformations, 3 credits, 7 students
Soil Formation and Landscapes, 4 credits, 43 students
Soil Genesis and Classification, 3 credits, 65 students
Soil Genesis and Survey, 4 credits, 118 students
Soil Geography and Land Use, 3 credits, 120 students
Soil Mineralogy, 4 credits, 35 students
Soil Morphology, 3 credits, 26 students
Soil Profile Descriptions, 1 credit, 60 Students
Soils and Environmental Quality, 3 credits, 110 students
Soils Judging, 0 to 3 credits, 253 students
Watershed Hydrology, 4 credits, 7 students
Wetland Delineation, 3 credits, 31 students

Accomplishments

Publications

Impact Statements

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