WebSites:
The threats to soil are detailed in this web page with statistical and descriptive information on the causes of soil erosion through agriculture, mining, forestry, construction, and urbanization. Effects of soil loss, such as decreased water penetration, nutrient deficiencies, coastal pollution, and sedimentation, express ways in which soil becomes a pollutant through processes of erosion. Pollution of soil by means of salinization, dumping, development, and agro-chemicals is also described. Statistics on the spatial scale of soil erosion and the causes are listed.
Great resource for US soil contamination information. Provides data and information about a variety of soil contaminates, issues and policies. This site provides information on the human health effects that may result from contaminants in the environment. Individuals can select a substance of concern and find out what is considered to be toxic levels. There are links to other sources of environmental information such as National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, US EPA Chemical Registry System, and Department of Pesticide Regulation. Ever wonder what terms like Acceptable Daily Intake, Acute Toxicity, and Hazard Assessment Mean- well you can find the definitions to terms like these on this site!!
Order publications and videos from this program based at the Univ. of California, Davis, and explore articles about crop cover and soil quality. This is really a great site -There are grants available for those looking to develop publications or projects directed towards sustainable agriculture. The site helps to define sustainable agriculture by addressing farming and natural resources, plant production practices, animal production practices and the economic, social and political context of the topic.
Offers seminars in sustainable farming techniques, water policy, and farmland protection for small farmers. See affiliated groups and events. Lori Pottinger has written an article on making your soil biologically active by boosting the soils micro-organisms. She discusses compost versus synthetic fertilizers. She also talks with a variety of farmers who use compost in their fields. (The article is available on the site ) This site offers an extensive list of compost vendors in California.
This website created by UC Davis' own Randy Dahlgren outlines soil processes, emphasizes their key role in global nutrient dynamics, and stresses their importance in understanding ecological functions. Set up as a tutorial, it is a valuable resource.
A website intended to serve as a hub of information for anyone interested in the various aspects of composting. Overview, forum, linkages, poetry, earthworms etc, from home to large-scale composting. An interesting and fun section are the poems about compost written by Gary Synder, Walt Whitman and others. There are links to a 32 page quarterly digest on worms or wormfarm.com provides information products related to vermicomposting. Vermicomposting is composting with worms and there is an indepth article on why this type of composting is so valuable.
This website connects you to articles written on the topic of soils and restoration. There is access to information on restoration techniques, equipment supplies, current research throughout the world, and access to other biology, ecology and environmental resources. There is an interesting and extensive species gallery of mushrooms and desert plants. Publications and presentations of the SERG falculty, staff and students is available through this website. Lots and lots of articles on soil ecology and restoration.
A website which is great in accessing national soils information. Access to the soil survey manual, soil surveys and maps are available through this site. There are links to world soils information “ which discuss international outreach activities to encourage and promote the free exchange of natural resource data for the continued evolution of soils knowledge for sustainable use and management of life supporting resource.”
A website for teachers looking for soils materials. Dig in! Hands on soils investigations- This book helps to assist educators in teaching accurate soil and soil conservation information. This book as well as other resources for educators are available here. Soil geography in the United States, soil science education, soil survey center and other soil information are accessible from this site.
Online database of all the soils resources you could ever want! This is an amazing resource it was created for soil scientists and the daily expanding information on the internet- so this page is constantly underconstruction- this means it is constantly being added to! There is information on soil biology, chemistry, physics, agriculture, forest soils, and taxononmies and soil profiles. Soil science worldwide, libraries, databases and various soil oriented organizations (FAO, EPA, Soil Science Society, Erosion Lab…) is made available through this site.
The Theme: "Setting the Pace for Conservation" which is listed on the webpage indicates some of the various activities of this organization, Primarily through the distribution of information, using conferences, meetings, and publications, all addressed towards the goal of: "Providing a forum for in-depth discussion on the role conservation should play in addressing the land use issues"