Forestry Management Plan Revision

Katherine McCarville, Upper Iowa University

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Summary

The importance of soils is often underestimated in establishing management or restoration plans. Students examine soils at Echo Valley Park in the field, and use information from the USDA NRCS soil series descriptions in this activity. They review a forestry management plan for the park, revise the soils portion of the plan document, and then revise the recommendations to take the soil conditions into account.

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Context

Audience

Upper division soil genesis (USDA Soil Taxonomy) course.

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

--Knowledge of how to use the NRCS Web Soil Survey to create a soil map for a specific Area of Interest
--Knowledge of how to find and interpret NRCS Soil Series Descriptions

The field portion could be optional:
--Knowledge of use of soil augers to obtain soil core samples
--Knowledge of how to log and describe soil core samples

How the activity is situated in the course

This is a stand-alone activity

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

Demonstrate ability to interpret Soil Series Descriptions and use this information to develop recommendations regarding restoration/forestry planning.
Optional - confirm that Soil Series Descriptions and soil maps accurately represent soil conditions in a specific area

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity

Critical analysis of a forestry management plan produced by professionals
Revise the plan to include more emphasis on the influence of soils in a restoration plan
Revise the management recommendations to take into account the additional soils information

Other skills goals for this activity

Develop and practice professional writing skill

Description and Teaching Materials





Teaching Notes and Tips

Assessment

References and Resources