Exposing and Describing a Soil Profile

The ability to expose a representative soil profile and to describe it accurately and consistently are skills that are fundamental to the study of soil in the field. This practical one day course at Lancaster University and Myerscough College is the first of three courses covering the foundation skills and teaches you how to:

• Safely expose a soil profile either by digging a pit or by using a soil auger
• Consistenly describe a site and a full soil profile using a recognised system of description (including hand texturing, soil colour, structure, consistency, porosity, stone content, free lime and roots/fauna present
• Interpret soil layers (broad horizon nomenclature), features and materials in terms of soil forming processes and the soil environment

The course is part laboratory and part field based. Working in a small group, you will dig your own pits, be taught each aspect of soil description back in the laboratory and then describe horizons back from your own pit.

 * Please note that return coach transfers between the two locations will be provided.