PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF SOIL MONOLITHS FROM FROSTBURG STATE UNIVERSITY PRACTICE FIELDS

Visible indicators of variations in soil quality and productivity are widespread throughout the Frostburg State University (FSU) Campus. One location, a sports field, exhibits significant dissimilarity in monoculture grass cover, which is symptomatic of variations in soil ecology. The research to examine and determine the quality of soil “health” of the FSU practice field was embedded into an undergraduate soils course (GEOG 340). Each course participant applied identical analysis but in different locations to generate a representative but spatially diverse, high resolution dataset. The study site is located within a catena on land impacted by the coal mining industry of the 19^th Century. Characteristics of the soils were determined through the use of tests including but not limited to, qualitative N.P.K., organic content, moisture content and particle size analyses. The N.P.K. indicated very low Nitrogen levels (Absent to Low) and variable levels of Phosphorous and Potassium (Low to Medium) throughout the study site. Organic content decreases from 20% to 10% with increasing depth (0cm to 30cm). After 30 cm the organic content drops to 2-5% depending on location on the field. The particle size analyses indicated a dominance of clay-sized material (<0.02mm particles). When the data is combined the interpretation suggest that the soils of the practice fields are very nutrient-deficient and under ecological stress. Following the analysis we recommend; first, the role and rate of compaction on the soils profile via anthropogenic use be investigated and mapped and second, the practice fields are allowed to go fallow for several years. The mixed vegetation communities located on the catena, above and below the practice field suggest that soil recovery is possible if the land is not overused and monoculture (grass) vegetation is avoided.