Progress 01/01/04 to 09/30/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Several outputs have been achieved through this Hatch project. Firstly, we have had several research projects and associated experimentation that have provided results that will facilitate our understanding of soils, soil survey activities, and ecosystem processes. These projects have mostly involved applied investigations of landscape-scale processes that have improved our understanding of soil function and interpretations. Several of these projects have led to graduate student degrees. As chronicled through yearly reports over this Hatch period (2004-2009), conventional dissemination of research endeavors have included presentations and publication of abstracts (38) and proceedings (27) at regional (Southern Branch of American Society of Agronomy), national (Soil Science Society of America) and international (International Union of Soil Science) venues. Over the course of 2004-2009, I have been an author or co-author on 31 peer-reviewed publications (e.g. Soil Science Society of America Journal, Soil Science, J. of Env. Quality), a portion of which have documented research results associated with this Hatch project. In particular, published research associated with this Hatch has increased our knowledge of the use of geospatial technologies in soil science and an improved understanding of anthropogenic impacts on soil properties. Efforts to disseminate information have gone beyond conventional academic pursuits and have included multiple outreach activities. For example, we have provided workshops and field tours to the professional soil classifier association and soil consulting industry in our state. We have also provided presentations and had substantial interaction with participants in the National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS). Activities associated with this include: 1) providing technical laboratory services, interpretations, and reports for on-going survey activity, 2) participating in field reviews of soil survey activity, 3) hosting and participating in Regional, State, and National Soil Survey work-planning conferences and activities, 4) reviewing soil survey progress reports and documents, and 5) assisting in special projects. PARTICIPANTS: Joey Shaw (PI), John Owen (Research Associate), Julie Arriaga (Research Associate), USDA-NRCS, USDA-ARS, Several Graduate Students TARGET AUDIENCES: USDA-NRCS, USDA-ARS National Cooperative Soil Survey, Alabama Department of Public Health, On-site Waste Disposal (OSDS) Industry, Alabama Professional Soil Classifiers, National Society of Consulting Soil Scientists PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Our research outcomes have mostly been associated with knowledge change or revision. Most notably, we evaluated land use effects on near-surface, dynamic soil properties of some Southeastern (U.S.) soils while also investigating carbon (C) stocks and soil quality of mature longleaf wiregrass habitat relative to more intensively cultivated Coastal Plain ecosystems. Sites representing three soil map units (sandy surfaces with loamy to clayey kandic subsurface horizons) were selected in each of three management systems for comparison of near surface soil properties. Land use included mature longleaf pine (Pinus palustrus Miller)wiregrass (Aristida stricta Michx.) habitat (LL), slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) plantation (PP), and conventional row cropping systems (RC). In summary, significant differences in multiple soil properties between land use systems existed, and multivariate analyses indicated 80% of data variability was explained by exchangeable bases, C pools, and hydraulic soil properties. Most importantly, near-surface soil properties were more similar by land use than by taxonomic based soil map units. Another study has been evaluating the soil drainage class of typical Coastal Plain (CP) soils for improving soil survey interpretations. This study, conducted jointly with the USDA-NRCS, is monitoring the depth and duration of seasonal high water tables (SHWTs) of some Alabama CP soils to develop relationships between SHWT metrics and hydromorphic features. Eleven CP pedons (Paleudults, Kandiudults and Hapludults, most with plinthite and varying thickness of sandy epipedons) have been evaluated. Rainfall patterns have been inconsistent during the study period, and only water table data within years of normal rainfall (as per Soil Taxonomy) have been evaluated. Perched water tables have not been consistently associated with any pedogenic feature. For data evaluated to date, horizons containing soft iron (Fe) accumulations were saturated for 11% of the monitoring period, horizons containing plinthite were saturated 20% of the monitoring period, horizons containing chroma 2 Fe depletions were saturated 25% of the monitoring period, and depleted horizons were saturated 56% of the monitoring period. The presence of plinthite in these soils occurred over a wide range of saturation durations (1 to 47% of the monitoring period). Eight of the eleven sites had water tables consistent with their field drainage class assessment. Finally, we also evaluated the use of remote sensing for evaluating surface soil properties. Satellite imagery (IKONOS) was acquired over conventionally tilled fields in the Coastal Plain and Tennessee Valley physiographic regions of Alabama. Soils consisted mostly of Plinthic Kandiudults at the Coastal Plain site and Rhodic Paleudults at the Tennessee Valley site. Co-kriging with remotely sensed (RS) data improved field scale estimates of surface SOC and clay content compared with other methods. Fuzzy c-means worked best using remotely sensed data acquired over freshly tilled fields, reducing soil property variability within soil zones compared with field scale soil property variability.
Publications
- Gacengo, C.N., C.W. Wood, J.N. Shaw, R.L. Raper, and K.S. Balkcom. 2009. Agroecosystem management effects on Greenhouse Gas Emissions across a Coastal Plain Catena. Soil Sci. 174:229-237.
- Simoes, R.P., R.L. Raper, F.J. Arriaga, K.S. Balkcom and J.N. Shaw. 2009. Using Conservation Systems to Alleviate Soil Compaction in a Southeastern United States Ultisol. Soil Tillage Res. 104:106-114.
- Stiles, C.A., D. Hammer, R. Ferguson, L. West, P. Jones, K. Newman, M. Johnson, J.N. Shaw, J. Arriaga, A. Falen, P. McDaniel, A.T. Geen, J. Galbraith, and R. Miles. 2009. Development and cooperator testing of an active carbon field kit. In 2009 Agronomy Abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
- Hajek, B.F. and J.N. Shaw. 2009. Development of Soil Taxonomy family mineralogy class criteria. In 2009 Agronomy Abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
- Truman, C.C., J.N. Shaw, D.C. Flanagan, D.W. Reeves and J.A. Ascough. 2009. Conservation Tillage to Effectively Reduce Interrill Erodibility of Highly-Weathered Ultisols. J. Soil Water Cons. 64(4):265-275.
- Arriaga, J.S., J.N. Shaw, J.P. Fulton and R.L. Raper. 2009. Cotton conservation system and irrigation effects on soil carbon pools of Tennesee Valley (Alabama) Paleudults. In 2009 Agronomy Abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
- Stone, H.D., J.N. Shaw, J.H. Dane, P. Srivastava and N.K. Twarakavi. 2009. Hydrology of a southeastern Coastal Plain plinthic soilscape. In 2009 Agronomy Abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
- Wijesinghe, R.U., Y. Feng, C.W. Wood, D.M. Stoeckel, and J.N. Shaw. 2009. Population dynamics and genetic variability of Escherichia coli in a mixed land-use watershed. J. Water Health 7(3):484-496.
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Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Temporal variability of near-surface soil properties is often management-dependent and related to soil change. Soil Taxonomy was developed with emphasis on subsoil properties to reduce the impacts of management on taxonomic placement. Although it is difficult to inventory near-surface soil properties in taxonomic-based soil surveys, it is recognized that characterizing the variability of these properties can greatly improve map unit interpretations. We have finished evaluating land use and management effects on dynamic soil properties of some Southeastern (U.S.) soils and investigating carbon (C) stocks and soil quality of mature longleaf wiregrass habitat relative to more intensively cultivated Coastal Plain ecosystems. Sites representing three soil map units (sandy surfaces with loamy to clayey kandic subsurface horizons) were selected in each of three management systems for comparison of near surface soil properties. Land use included mature longleaf pine (Pinus palustrus Miller) wiregrass (Aristida stricta Michx.) habitat (LL), slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) plantation (PP), and conventional row cropping systems (RC). Both univariate (reported previously) and multivariate techniques were used in data analyses. In summary, multivariate analyses indicated 80% of data variability was explained by exchangeable bases, C pools, and hydraulic soil properties, and near-surface soil properties were more similar by land use than by taxonomic based soil map units. In a companion study using these data, it was hypothesized management dependent, relatively dynamic properties can describe significant variability in near-surface hydraulic properties (e.g. soil water retention, infiltration rate, saturated hydraulic conductivity) within map units. The goal was to develop simple, regression-based pedotransfer functions for estimating variability in near-surface hydraulic properties based on both management dependent and "static" soil properties. Based on a limited number of hydraulic measurements, our data indicate the variability of near-surface soil properties was greater across than within soil map units. However, even across map units, management dependent properties described slightly higher amounts of near-surface hydraulic property variability than static properties. Within map units, management dependent properties described greater variability in near-surface hydraulic properties than "static" properties. No particular management dependent property was most significant for describing hydraulic property variability, and hydraulic conductivity variability was not adequately described by either set of properties. In summary, near-surface hydraulic properties systematically vary with land management within these representative map units. A significant portion of this variability can be explained through more easily measured, management dependent soil properties both across and within map units. PARTICIPANTS: Joey Shaw (PI) John Owen (Research Associate) Julie Arriaga (Research Associate) USDA-NRCS Matt Levi (graduate student) TARGET AUDIENCES: USDA-NRCS USDA-ARS National Cooperative Soil Survey PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: none
Impacts
The National Cooperative Soil Survey is evaluating techniques for better characterization of near surface, management dependent soil properties. Soil hydraulic properties are extensively utilized for soil interpretations, however, they are costly and laborious to measure. Typically, "static" soil properties (e.g. soil texture, mineralogy) are used to develop pedotransfer functions for estimation of soil hydraulic properties. Our results conclude that pedotransfer functions for improved estimation of most near-surface soil hydraulic properties as a function of land use can be developed for some soil map units of the Coastal Plain region, and the inclusion of management dependent properties in these models can improve their accuracy. These pedotransfer functions could possibly be developed for benchmark soils and adjusted for localized conditions. Such an approach can improve accuracy of soil property databases and ultimately allow the development of increasingly relevant soil survey interpretations.
Publications
- Brodbeck, C., J.P. Fulton, J.N. Shaw, T.P. McDonald and D.A. Rodekohr. 2008. Assessment of timber growth based on site-specific stand variability. ASABE Paper No. 084766. St. Joseph, MI. Paper Presented at ASABE Annual International Meeting, Providence, Rhode Island, June 29-July 2, 2008.
- Wijesinghe, R.U., Y. Feng, C.W. Wood, and J.N. Shaw. 2008. Identification of fecal contamination sources in the Catoma Creek watershed: A preliminary study. J. Environ. Detect. 1:18-38.
- Sen, S. P. Srivastava, K. H. Yoo, J. H. Dane, J. N. Shaw, and M. S. Kang. 2008. Runoff Generation Mechanisms in the Pastures of the Sand Mountain Region of Alabama A Field Investigation. Hydrol. Proc. 22:4222-4232.
- Causarano, H.J., A.J. Franzluebbers, J. N. Shaw, D.W. Reeves, R.L. Raper and C. W. Wood. 2008. Soil Organic Carbon Fractions and Aggregation in the Southern Piedmont and Coastal Plain. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 72:221-230.
- Sullivan, D.G., G. Bland, J.P. Fulton, J.N. Shaw, D. Endale, J. E. Hook, and R.D. Lee. 2008. Thermal Infrared Imaging in Agriculture Using a Small Unmanned Aerial System. 17th William T. Pecora Memorial Remote Sensing Symposium. Nov. 16-20, Denver, CO.
- Shaw, J.N., M.R. Levi, I. Fesha, C.W. Wood and D.W. Reeves. 2008. Management Dependent Properties and Pedotransfer Functions for Improving Map Unit Characterization of Select Southeastern U.S. Soils. In 2008 Agronomy Abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
- Balkcom, K.S., J. A. Terra, J.N. Shaw, D.W. Reeves, and R.L Raper. 2008. Soil Variability and Management Effects on Coastal Plain Corn Yields. In 2008 Agronomy Abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
- Levi, M.R., J.N. Shaw, C.W. Wood, S.M. Hermann, and E.A. Carter. 2008. Multivariate Approaches for Dynamic Soil Property Characterization in Some Southeastern U.S. Coastal Plain Map Units. Proceedings of Southern Regional Cooperative Soil Survey Conference, Gainesville, FL. 14-17 July, 2008. Available at www.conference.ifas.ufl.edu/ssc/post_dir (verified 7/31/08).
- Raper, R.L., F.J. Arriaga, K.S. Balkcom, J.N. Shaw, D.W. Reeves and E.B. Schwab. 2008. Conservation system and landscape effects on soil strength in a cotton/corn rotation. Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conference, Nashville, TN, 8-11 January 2008.
- Sen, S., P. Srivastava, K.H. Yoo, J. Dane and J.N. Shaw. 2008. Spatial and temporal distribution of runoff generation areas and their hydrologic connectivity on a pasture hillslope. ASABE Paper No. 083806. St. Joseph, MI. Paper Presented at ASABE Annual International Meeting, Providence, Rhode Island, June 29-July 2, 2008.
- Simoes, R., R.L. Raper, K. Balkcom, F.J. Arriaga, J.N. Shaw and E.B. Schwab. 2008. Total carbon, bulk density and soil strength affected by conservation systems. Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conference, Nashville, TN, 8-11 January 2008.
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The characterization of management-dependent soil properties is critical for improving soil survey interpretations. We are currently evaluating land use and management effects on dynamic soil properties of Southeastern (U.S.) soils and investigating carbon (C) stocks and soil quality of mature longleaf-wiregrass habitat relative to more intensively cultivated Coastal Plain ecosystems. Sites representing three soil map units (sandy surfaces with loamy to clayey kandic subsurface horizons), were selected in each of three management systems for comparison of near surface (0-5, 5-15 and 15-30 cm) soil properties. Land management/use includes mature longleaf pine (Pinus palustrus Miller) - wiregrass (Aristida stricta Michx.) habitat (LL), slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) plantation (PP), and conventional row cropping systems (RC). Concentrations of microbial biomass C (0-5 cm) in LL were 69% > RC, while TOC was 138 % higher in LL relative to RC. Anthropogenic inputs were
evident in RC (0-30 cm) based on higher TON (31% > PP), exchangeable Ca (102% > LL) and K (433% > LL), extractable P (1700% > LL), and base saturation (142% > LL). Cultivation increased bulk density (P=0.029) compared to LL. Soil strength (0-50 cm) in PP was 106% > LL (P= 0.061). The highest soil infiltration rate (IR) was in LL (42.5 cm/hr) (P= 0.038), which was 1015 % higher than PP. Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) was lowest in PP (5.7 cm/hr). Multivariate analysis indicated 79% of data variability was largely explained by exchangeable bases, C pools, and hydraulic properties, indicating the utility of these properties for a minimum data set of soil quality in similar agroecosystems of the SE U.S. Euclidean clustering of raw data indicated near-surface soil properties were more similar by soil management than soil map unit. Another study is evaluating the soil drainage class of typical Coastal Plain (CP) soils for improving soil survey interpretations. This study, conducted
jointly with the USDA-NRCS, is monitoring the depth and duration of seasonal high water tables (SHWTs) of some Alabama CP soils to develop relationships between SHWT metrics and hydromorphic features. Twenty two piezometers were installed within eleven CP pedons (Paleudults, Kandiudults and Hapludults, most with plinthite and varying thickness of sandy epipedons) at varying depths to monitor SHWTs (December 2003 to present). Rainfall patterns have been inconsistent during the study period, and only water table data within years of normal rainfall (as per Soil Taxonomy) are being evaluated. Horizons containing soft iron (Fe) accumulations were saturated for 11% of the monitoring period, horizons containing plinthite were saturated 20% of the monitoring period, horizons containing chroma 2 Fe depletions were saturated 25% of the monitoring period, and depleted horizons were saturated 56% of the monitoring period. The presence of plinthite in these soils occurred over a wide range of
saturation durations (1 to 47% of the monitoring period). Eight of the eleven sites had water tables consistent with their field drainage class assessment.
PARTICIPANTS: Joey Shaw (PI) John Owen (Research Associate) Julie Arriaga (Research Associate) USDA-NRCS Matt Levi (graduate student) Rick Smith (graduate student)
TARGET AUDIENCES: USDA-NRCS National Cooperative Soil Survey Alabama Department of Public Health On-site Waste Disposal (OSDS) Industry
Impacts
The Southeastern U.S. population will continue to expand over the next several decades, and policies and decisions related to urbanization, sustainability and land use/management requires studies that improve the understanding of soils in both natural and more intensively managed ecosystems. Southeastern soil resources are intensively utilized, and it is critical we improve the understanding of our cumulative impacts on soils. The evaluation of undisturbed reference sites compared to cultivated land use systems is allowing us to quantify our impacts on soils as a function of management. Our results are directly related to soil quality assessment and carbon sequestration. Improved understanding of soil hydromorphology impacts many soil interpretations. In particular, the use of soils for on-site waste disposal is a large industry; approximately 50% of Alabama citizens utilize drainfields for waste disposal. Improved understanding of soil hydrology directly impacts how
soils are evaluated for conventional wastewater disposal, and thus is essential for this industry as well as protecting our environment.
Publications
- Biscaro, A., F. Arriaga, K. Balkcom, J.N. Shaw and J. Bergtold. 2007. Management practices and landscape variability effects on selected soil physical properties. In 2007 Agronomy abstracts-Southern Branch, p. 42. ASA, Madison, WI.
- Levi, M.R., J.N. Shaw, C.W. Wood, S.M. Hermann and E.A. Carter. 2007. Management dependent soil properties of cultivated versus non-cultivated SE Coastal Plain ecosystems. In 2007 Agronomy abstracts-Southern Branch, p. 42. ASA, Madison, WI.
- Smith, R., J.N. Shaw, J.Owen, J. Dane, J.Odom, and P.G. Martin. 2007. Hydromorphology of some Alabama Coastal Plain soils. In 2007 Agronomy abstracts-Southern Branch, p. 42. ASA, Madison, WI.
- Gacengo, C.N., C.W. Wood, J.N. Shaw, K. Balkcom, A.J. Price, R.L. Raper and B.H. Wood. 2007. Decomposition and nutrient release of cover crops on different landscape positions. In 2007 Agronomy abstracts-Southern Branch, p. 42. ASA, Madison, WI.
- Sullivan, D.G., J.N. Shaw, A. J. Price and E. van Santen. 2007. Spectral Reflectance Properties of Winter Cover Crops in the Southeastern Coastal Plain. Agron. J. 99:1587-1596.
- Schoonover, J.E., B.G. Lockaby, and J.N. Shaw. 2007. Channel morphology and sediment origin in streams draining the Georgia Piedmont. J. Hydrology. 342:110-123.
- Raper, R.L., D.W. Reeves, J.N. Shaw, E. van Santen and P.L. Mask. 2007. Benefits of site-specific subsoiling for cotton production in Coastal Plain soils. Soil Till. Res. 94:174-181.
- Causarano, H.J., J.N. Shaw, A. J. Franzluebbers, D.W. Reeves, R.L. Raper, K.S. Balkcom, M. L. Norfleet, and R. Izaurralde. 2007. Simulating Field Scale Soil Organic Carbon Dynamics Using EPIC. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 71:1174-1185.
- Hammac W.A., C.W. Wood, B.H. Wood, O.O. Fasina, Y. Feng, and J.N. Shaw. 2007. Determination of Bioavailable Nitrogen and Phosphorus from Pelletized Broiler Litter. Sci. Res. and Essays 2: 89-94.
- Abrahamson DA, M.L. Norfleet ML, H.J. Causarano, J.R. Williams, J.N. Shaw and A.J. Franzluebbers. 2007. Effectiveness of the soil conditioning index as a carbon management tool in the southeastern USA based on comparison with EPIC. J. Soil Water Cons. 64:94-102.
- Balkcom, K., J.N. Shaw, D.W. Reeves, C.H. Burmester, and L.M. Curtis. 2007. Cotton Biomass, Leaf Nitrogen, and Soil Water Content across Irrigated Tillage Systems in the Tennessee Valley. J. Cotton Sci. 11:2-11.
- Shaw, J.N. 2007. Development of Highly Weathered Mineralogical Assemblages in Southeastern U.S. Landscapes. In 2007 Agronomy Abstracts.
- Biscaro, A., F.J. Arriaga, K. Balkcom, J.N. Shaw, E. Van Santen, J.S. Bergtold, and R.L. Raper. 2007. Impact of Tillage, Manure Application and Landscape Variability on Soil Physical Properties of a Southeastern Coastal Plain Crop Field. In 2007 Agronomy Abstracts.
- Levi, M., J.N. Shaw, C.W. Wood, S. Hermann, E.A. Carter, and Y. Feng. 2007. Management Dependent Soil Properties of Cultivated Versus Non-Cultivated SE Coastal Plain Ecosystems. In 2007 Agronomy Abstracts.
- Smith, R., J.N. Shaw, P.G. Martin and C. Love. 2007. Relationships between Seasonal High Water Tables and Hydromorphology of Some Alabama Coastal Plain Soils. In 2007 Agronomy Abstracts.
- Simoes, R.P., R.L. Raper, K. Balkcom, F. J. Arriaga, and J.N. Shaw. 2007. Reduction of Soil Compaction in a Cotton and Peanut Rotation Using Conservation Systems. In 2007 Agronomy Abstracts.
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
The characterization of management-dependent soil properties is critical for improving soil survey interpretations. We are currently evaluating land use and management effects on dynamic soil properties of southeastern soils and investigating carbon (C) stocks and soil quality of mature longleaf-wiregrass habitat relative to more intensively cultivated Coastal Plain ecosystems. Sites in Thomas County, GA, representing three soil map units (sandy surfaces with loamy to clayey kandic subsurface horizons), were selected in each of three management systems for comparison of near surface (0-5, 5-15 and 15-30 cm) soil properties. Land management/use includes mature longleaf pine (Pinus palustrus Miller) - wiregrass (Aristida stricta Michx.) habitat (LL), slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) plantation (PP), and conventional row cropping systems (RC). The C stocks are substantially higher in the longleaf ecosystems- microbial biomass C (0-5 cm) is 57 and 101 % higher in LL
compared with PP and RC, respectively; total organic C is 68 and 148 % higher in LL relative to PP and RC, respectively. The row crop system (0-30 cm) have higher TON, exchangeable Ca, Mg, K, and P, and base saturation than the other systems. Bulk density is highest in RC across all depths. Relatively more intensive cultivation increases nutrient levels and soil compaction, and decreases C stocks of cultivated relative to uncultivated sites. We also evaluated the use of simulation models (EPIC) for depicting field-scale SOC variability as a function of management for a site-specific experiment in the Coastal Plain of central Alabama. Model performance in predicting corn (Zea mays L.) and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) yields and SOC dynamics was evaluated on different soil landscapes (Typic, Oxyaquic and Aquic Paleudults) during the initial period of conservation tillage adoption (5 years). EPIC simulations explained approximately 23, 27 and 40% of the total variation in microbial
biomass C (MBC), particulate organic C (POC) and total organic C (TOC), respectively. Lowest errors on TOC simulations (0-20 cm) were found on the sideslope and in the drainageway. In summary, EPIC is a valuable tool for simulating field-scale SOC dynamics affected by short-term management. Another study is evaluating the soil drainage class of typical Coastal Plain (CP) soils for improving soil survey interpretations. This study, conducted jointly with the USDA-NRCS, is monitoring the depth and duration of seasonal high water tables (SHWTs) of some Alabama CP soils to develop relationships between SHWT periodicity, duration and hydromorphic features. Twenty two piezometers were installed within thirteen CP pedons (Paleudults, Kandiudults and Hapludults, most with plinthite and varying thickness of sandy epipedons) at varying depths to monitor SHWTs (December 2003 to present). Preliminary data indicates horizons containing chroma 3 Fe depletions are saturated 20-30% of the monitoring
period, while horizons containing chroma 2 Fe depletions are saturated 40-50% of the monitoring period. Our data to date suggests Chroma 2 Fe depletions strongly reflect contemporary hydrology in these Coastal Plain soils.
Impacts
Our studies will improve the understanding of soils in both natural and more intensively managed ecosystems. As soil resources are subjected to intensive management and utilization, it is critical we improve the understanding of our cumulative impacts on soils. The investigation of references sites compared to cultivated land use systems (e.g. our longleaf-wiregrass reference study) is allowing us to quantify differences in soil properties as a function of management. This study is greatly needed for our Southeastern soil ecosystems, which are currently or have historically been intensively managed, and our results will be applicable in many arenas. Current trends indicate the Southeastern population will continue to grow over the next several decades, and policies and decisions related to urbanization, sustainability and land use/management will require these types of data. Carbon sequestration, soil quality, and greenhouse gas emissions are related issues that our
studies are addressing.
Publications
- Siri-Prieto, G., D.W. Reeves, J.N. Shaw, and C.C. Mitchell. 2006. The world's oldest cotton experiment: relationships between soil chemical and physical properties and apparent electrical conductivity. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 37:767-786.
- Terra, J.A., J. N. Shaw, D. W. Reeves, R. L. Raper, E. van Santen, E. B. Schwab, and P. L. Mask. 2006. Soil management and landscape variability affects field-scale cotton productivity. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 70:98-107.
- Causarano, H.J., A.J. Franzluebbers, D.W. Reeves, and J.N. Shaw. 2006. Soil organic carbon sequestration in cotton production systems of the Southeast USA: A review. J. Env. Qual. 35:1374-1383.
- Balkcom, K. D.W. Reeves, J.N. Shaw, C.H. Burmester, and L.M. Curtis. 2006. Cotton yield and fiber quality from Irrigated Tillage Systems in the Tennessee Valley. Agron. J. 98:596-602.
- Gacengo, C.N., C. W. Wood, J.N. Shaw, K.S. Balkcom and R.L. Raper. 2006. Soil management and landscape effects on methane, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide emissions. 2006 Southern Conservation Systems Conference. Amarillo, TX June 26-29, 2006.
- Abrahamson, D.A., M. Lee Norfleet, Hector J. Causarano, J.N. Shaw, D.W. Reeves, and Alan J. Franzluebbers. 2006. Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration Simulated by EPIC in Cotton Rotations from three Major Land Resource Areas in the Southeastern USA. 2006 Southern Conservation Systems Conference. Amarillo, TX June 26-29, 2006.
- Abrahamson, D.B., M.L. Norfleet, H.J. Causarano, J.N. Shaw, A.J. Franzluebbers and D.W. Reeves. 2006. EPIC Simulations of Soil Carbon Sequestration in Cotton and Corn Production Systems of Major Land Resource Areas in the Southeastern USA. Soil and Water Cons. Meetings.
- Gacengo, C.N., C.W. Wood, J.N. Shaw, K.S. Balkcom and R.L. Raper. 2006. Effects of soil management and landscape factors on greenhouse gas emissions. ASA Southern Branch Abstracts.
- Hammac, W.A. C. W. Wood, Y. Feng, O. Fasina, J.N. Shaw and B. Wood. 2006. Determination of bioavailable nitrogen and phosphorus from broiler litter. ASA Southern Branch Abstracts
- Causarano, H., J.N. Shaw, A.J. Franzluebbers, D.W. Reeves, K.S. Balkcom, and M.L. Norfleet. 2006. EPIC simulation of landscape and management effects on soil organic carbon dynamics. In 2006 Agronomy abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
- Sullivan, D.G., J.N. Shaw, and D. Rickman. 2006. Using Satellite Remote Sensing for Site Specific Management of Soils. International Conference Biohydrology, Impact of biological factors on soil hydrology, Prague, Sept 20-22, 2006.
- Sullivan, D.G., J.N. Shaw, P.L. Mask, D. Rickman, J.C.Luvall and J.M. Wersinger. 2006. Satellite and airborne remote sensing for rapid assessment of surface soil properties. World Congress of Soil Science- International Union of Soil Science. Philadelphia, PA July 9-15, 2006.
- Shaw, J.N., I. Fesha, D.W. Reeves, C.W. Wood, Y. Feng and M.L.Norfleet. 2006. Soil change in Southeastern USA Ultisols. World Congress of Soil Science- International Union of Soil Science. Philadelphia, PA July 9-15, 2006.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
The need for detailed (termed first order) soil survey information is expanding with increasing implementation of precision agriculture, precision forestry, and increased urbanization. One of our studies compared a first-order soil survey created using conventional techniques versus a first-order survey developed using terrain attributes calculated from digital elevation models (DEMs) and electrical conductivity (EC) mapping to create soil landscape units prior to field work. Two research sites [Macon (9-ha) and Dale (8-ha), both row-crop fields] were located in the Coastal Plain physiographic region of Alabama. First-order soil surveys (1:5,000) were generated for each field using standard soil survey techniques. Elevation data were collected using RTK-GPS, and terrain attributes were calculated. Field-scale EC data were also collected. Multivariate analyses indicated three principal factors described 81% and 80% of the terrain and EC variability for the Macon and
Dale site, respectively. Fuzzy k-means clustering of principal factor scores was used to create landscape zones. Averaged overall, landscape zone purity was slightly less (4%) than that of conventional survey map units at the Macon site, but slightly higher (1%) than conventional survey map units at the Dale site. The landscape zone approach was relatively more accurate at the Dale site where soils differed mostly in subsoil texture, than the Macon site where taxonomic soil variability was largely related to drainage class. In a continuing study, we are developing improved understanding of interactions between soil management and soil landscape variability on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) productivity. We evaluated these effects in a 9-ha, Alabama field (Typic and Aquic Paleudults). Treatments were established in replicated strips traversing the landscape in a corn (Zea mays L.)-cotton rotation. Treatments included a conventional system and a conservation system with and without
manure. A soil survey, topographic survey, and interpolated surfaces of EC, soil organic carbon (SOC) and surface soil texture were used to delineate five zones using fuzzy k-means clustering. Slope, EC, SOC and clay content were correlated with yield in all treatments. Soil and terrain attributes explained 16-64 % of yield variation, however, their significance fluctuated between years and treatments. We also evaluated the use of remote sensing for evaluating surface soil properties. Satellite imagery (IKONOS) was acquired over conventionally tilled fields in the Coastal Plain and Tennessee Valley physiographic regions of Alabama. Soils consisted mostly of Plinthic Kandiudults at the Coastal Plain site and Rhodic Paleudults at the Tennessee Valley site. Co-kriging with remotely sensed (RS) data improved field scale estimates of surface SOC and clay content compared with other methods. Fuzzy c-means worked best using remotely sensed data acquired over freshly tilled fields, reducing
soil property variability within soil zones compared with field scale soil property variability.
Impacts
The development of innovative soil mapping techniques could impact the environmental and agronomic industries that rely heavily on soil survey information for the basis of their work. The incorporation of high resolution terrain mapping and remote sensing with GIS models is the way of the future with regard to natural resource inventories, including soil mapping. Thus, it is imperative that the AL Ag Experiment Station evaluate the technologies to develop the best methods possible. Our evaluation of landscape impacts on cotton productivity could translate to immediate impacts related to site-specific management of row crops. By more thoroughly understanding the interactions between soil management and landscapes, improved allocation of agrochemicals can be developed. More efficient use of fertilizers can improve farm economics as well as reduce the runoff of nutrients into the environment. More specifically, our results indicate that zones developed using relatively
static soil-landscape data are relatively more suitable for conservation versus conventional system management, thus giving an additional benefit to the adoption of reduced tillage systems.
Publications
- Bergtold, J.S., J.A. Terra, D.W. Reeves, J.N. Shaw, K.S. Balckom and R.L. Raper. 2005. Profitability and risk associated with alternative high-residue cover crops. IN The Science of Conservation Tillage, Continuing the Discoveries . Proc. of 27th Annual Southern Conservation Tillage Conference for Sustainable Agriculture. Clemson, SC 27-29 June 2005
- Causarano, H.J., A.J. Franzluebbers, D.W. Reeves, J.N. Shaw and M.L. Norfleet. 2005. Potential for soil carbon sequestration in cotton production systems of the southeastern USA. Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conference, New Orleans LA, 4-7 January 2005
- Balckom, K.S,. D.W. Reeves, C. Burmester, J.N. Shaw and L. Curtis. 2005. Cotton yield and fiber quality for irrigated tillage systems of the Tennessee Valley. Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conference, New Orleans LA, 4-7 January 2005
- Bergtold, J.S., J. Terra, D. W. Reeves, J.N. Shaw, K. Balkcom, and R. L. Raper. 2005. Spatial Variability in Net Returns for Conservation Tillage Systems with Alternative Mixtures of High Residue Cover Crops. In 2005 Agronomy abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI
- Franzluebbers, A. J., H. J. Causarano, D.W. Reeves, J.N. Shaw and M.L. Norfleet. 2005. Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration in Cotton Production Systems of the Southeastern US. USDA Symposium on Greenhouse Gases & Carbon Sequestration in Agriculture and Forestry. March 21-24, 2005, Baltimore MD
- Causarano, H.J., A.J. Franzluebbers, D.W. Reeves, J.N. Shaw and M.L. Norfleet. 2005. Soil organic carbon sequestration in cotton production systems. IN The Science of Conservation Tillage, Continuing the Discoveries . Proc. of 27th Annual Southern Conservation Tillage Conference for Sustainable Agriculture. Clemson, SC 27-29 June 2005
- Terra, J.A., D.W. Reeves, J.N. Shaw and R.L. Raper. 2005. Impact of landscape attributes on C sequestration during the transition form conventional to conservation management practices on a Coastal Plain field. J. Soil Water Cons.60(6)
- Sullivan, D.G, J.N. Shaw, and D. Rickman. 2005. Using IKONOS imagery to estimate surface soil property variability in two Alabama physiographies. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 69: 1789-1798
- Raper, R.L., D.W. Reeves, J.N. Shaw, E. van Santen and P.L. Mask. 2005. Using site-specific subsoiling to minimize draft and optimize corn yields. Trans. ASAE. 48(6)
- Balckom, K., J. A. Terra, J.N. Shaw, D.W. Reeves and R.L. Raper. 2005. Soil management system and landscape position interactions on nutrient distribution in a Coastal Plain field. J. Soil Water Cons.60(6)
- Truman, C.C., J.N. Shaw, and D.W. Reeves. 2005. Tillage effects on rainfall partitioning and sediment yield from an Ultisol in Central Alabama J. Soil Water Cons. 60:89-98
- Causarano, H.J. A. Franzluebbers, J.N. Shaw, D.W. Reeves, R. L. Raper, C.W. Wood. 2005. Management Effects on Soil Organic Carbon in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain. In 2005 Agronomy abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI
- Shaw, J.N. J. Owen, C. Burmester, D.W. Reeves, and P.L. Mask. 2005. Comparison of First Order Soil Surveys to Alternative Approaches for Characterizing Cotton Productivity on Alabama Ultisols. In 2005 Agronomy abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
We are evaluating alternative paradigms in soil survey applications. The goal is to 1) develop techniques for developing soil surveys using innovative technologies, and 2) develop alternative applications for soil surveys. We are working on a 9-ha site in the Coastal Plain of AL. We developed a first order soil survey (1:5000) by conventional means. We constructed a digital elevation model (DEM) using RTK-GPS, from which 9 terrain attributes (e.g. curvature, catchment area) were developed within a GIS. Field-scale electrical conductivity, known to be related to soil variability, was measured with a contact Veris unit. 5-m surfaces of the terrain attribute and EC data were developed, and using factor analyses to create principal factor scores, fuzzy k-means clustering of factor scores was used to create zones. Soil map units were then created by delineating slope classes. We checked map unit purity of both approaches by sampling 77 pedons randomly selected across the
field. Our analyses indicate that averaged overall, we had a 69% probability of success of observing a pedon or similar pedon to the named soil map unit. Averaged overall, 51 to 85% of the pedons are similar to the named map unit for the zone approach. Considering our similar-dissimilar model was much more rigid than typically used, we considered our innovate approach to work well. We are evaluating the use of soil surveys in agronomic applications. This work has centered on looking at crop productivity as well as carbon sequestration, since this has become a major issue in agriculture today. Southeastern agricultural lands have a high potential to sequester C, and thus possibly mitigate greenhouse gas emissions considered germane to global warming. At a 9-ha site in the Coastal Plain of Alabama, we determined relationships between SOC, terrain attributes, field scale soil electrical conductivity (EC), surface horizon soil texture and soil survey map units. These data coverages were
arranged into clusters using multivariate K-means clustering. Soil organic carbon (SOC) was measured at 496 locations, and surfaces of soil organic carbon were created using several techniques. The SOC was highly spatially dependent, and ordinary kriging was the most accurate interpolator of SOC compared to other techniques. Multivariate factor analyses was used to reduce variables, and terrain attributes (e.g. elevation, slope, CTI) and soil properties (e.g. soil texture) explained up to 50% of the SOC variability. Partitioning the soil-landscape into clusters reduced the SOC variance (30 %) and proved to be an effective method for grouping carbon variability on landscapes. We investigated the ability of remote sensing to estimate crop residue cover since this is important for both soil conservation as well as using remote sensing to evaluate soil properties, and found that thermal remote sensing can be used to discriminate crop residue coverage. We finished our project on improved
soil nutrient sampling techniques, and our results indicated that soil surveys, yield maps and remote sensing all group landscape variability sufficiently to direct soil nutrient sampling for site-specific agriculture.
Impacts
Soil surveys are the fundamental component of natural resource inventories. Order 1 surveys (created at scales > 1:12 000) are used for site-specific application of soil information. For example, they are utilized in planning on-site waste disposal sites during residential home construction, as well as used for site-specific agriculture. Many professional soil scientists are engaged in creating these surveys for various uses. Soil surveys, particularly Order 1 surveys, are expensive and laborious to create. The application of recently developed technologies (terrain mapping using RTK-GPS, field-scale conductivity mapping) to facilitate the creation of Order 1 surveys can possibly save the consulting industry, and thus the general public, money. Our goal is to research which of the technologies are most applicable, and develop techniques to facilitate the creation of these surveys. Results form the first year of this work suggests our approach has promise.
Agronomically, we already know the techniques we have developed can be used to group soil-terrain variability. This has been shown to be related to soil organic carbon and nutrient concentrations. Further work will evaluate the relationships of these zones with field-scale crop productivity to hopefully improve grower efficiency.
Publications
- Sullivan, D.G., J. N. Shaw, P. L. Mask, D. Rickman, E. A. Guertal, J. Luvall, and J. M. Wersinger. 2004. Evaluation of Multispectral Data for Rapid Assessment of Wheat Straw Residue Cover. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 68: 2007-2013.
- Terra, J. A., J.N. Shaw, D.W. Reeves, R.L. Raper, E. van Santen and P.L. Mask. 2004. Soil carbon relationships with terrain attributes, electrical conductivity surveys and soil map units in a coastal plain landscape. Soil Sci. In Press
- Sullivan, D.G, J.N. Shaw, P.L. Mask, D.L. Rickman, J. Luvall, and J.M. Wersinger. 2004. Evaluating Corn (Zea Mays L.) N Variability Via Remote Sensed Data. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 35(17/18) :2465-2483.
- Shaw, J.N., L.T. West, D.D. Bosch, C.C. Truman and D.S. Leigh. 2004. Parent material influence on soil distribution and genesis in a Paleudult and Kandiudult (Southeastern USA) complex. Catena. 57:157-174.
- Thompson, A.N., J.N. Shaw, P.L. Mask, J.T. Touchton and D. Rickman. 2004. Soil sampling techniques for Alabama grain fields. Prec. Ag. 5:345-358.
- Guertal, E.A. and J.N. Shaw. 2004. Multispectral radiometer signatures for stress evaluation in compacted bermudagrass turf. Hort Sci. 39(2) 403-407.
- Balckom, K., J. A. Terra, J.N. Shaw, D.W. Reeves and R.L. Raper. 2004. Soil Management System and Landscape Position Interactions on Nutrient Distribution in a Coastal Plain Field. In 2004 Agronomy abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
- Fesha, I.G., J.N. Shaw, and D.W. Reeves. 2004. Pedotransfer Functions for Management- Dependent Soil Hydraulic Properties. In 2004 Agronomy abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
- Causarano, H., J.N. Shaw, A. Franzluebbers, D.W. Reeves, and R.L. Raper. 2004. Relating Soil Organic Carbon Distribution to landscape variability in a Piedmont Pasture. In 2004 Agronomy abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
- White, M.., J.N. Shaw, D. Rodekohr, J.Owen and R.L. Raper. 2004. Comparison between Conventional and Alternative Approaches for First-Order Soil Survey Development. In 2004 Agronomy abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
- Terra, J.A., D.W. Reeves, J.N. Shaw, E. van Santen, and R.L. Raper. 2004. Impacts of landscape attributes on C sequestration during the transition from conventional to conservation management practices. In 2004 Agronomy abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
- Carter, E.A., J. Owen, and J.N. Shaw. 2004. The impact of forest harvest operations on select soil properties of a Piedmont hillslope. IN: 7th International Conference on Precision Agriculture, 25-28 July 2004, Minneapolis, MN p. 198.
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