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1. Introduction
Discussion – Soils and You
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.1 Physical Characteristics
Discussion – How long does it take to lose or gain 1 inch of soil?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Discussion – Soil Texture Class
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Discussion – What is organic matter?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Discussion – Pore Size Distribution
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
29
2.2 Chemical Characteristics
Discussion – Plants, pH, and Nutrient Deficiency
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
Discussion – Why do we think of carbon differently than other chemical soil components?
. . .51
2.3 Biological Characteristics
Discussion – Impacts of Soil Organic Matter on Soils
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
68
Discussion – What do earthworms do?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
2.4 Healthy Soil Principles
Discussion – Soil covers
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
Discussion – Working with the healthy soil principles
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
3. Basic Soil Monitoring and Evaluation
Discussion – Sampling Considerations
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Discussion – Soil Orders of New Mexico and Colorado
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
89
Discussion – Soil Orders and Healthy Soil Principles
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91
4. Soil Management Considerations
Discussion – Healthy Soil Principles and Tillage
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Discussion – Rotational Grazing
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Discussion – Holistic Considerations
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Index of Discussions