SOIL SCIENCE IN THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, ADDRESSING SOIL HEALTH AND IMPACTS

Soil science expertise is necessary when planning for permitted activities on public lands in accordance to environmental regulations, sustainable productivity, biodiversity, health, and as a pathway for both nutrients and contaminants in the soil. Belowground soil processes determine the structure and function of above ground ecosystems with soil a component of ecosystem services supporting factors of health, economics, water and air pollution protections, and damage from fire and floods. The soil scientist identifies impacts and prevents degradation from soil disturbance by applying best management practices and mitigation measures to restore damage.

Determining the vulnerability of soils to degradation requires:

-a look at soil properties, soil indicators of land health, soil suitability and limitations;

-predicting vegetation, soil conditions response to disturbance or change;

-identifying preventable, unavoidable impacts, best management practices, mitigation;

-understanding a soil survey for planning and on-site project soil interpretations.

The focus on permitted activities involves altering or removal of vegetation and surface soils, affecting infiltration and soil stability, leading to erosion, impeding vegetative recovery. The drivers depict the assorted complexity ratings of hazards, limitations, impacts/degradation of soil and include: low or high precipitation; locations of roads, energy pads, livestock concentrations, etc.; changes in bare soil; surface erosion potential based on soil textures/slopes; equipment use, off highway vehicles; and wildfire effects. Classes of soil indicators affected are specified in terms of limitations, ground cover objectives, soil burn severity, and soil compaction. These classes are tied to consequences and the level of significance regarding any impacts with best management practices and mitigation added.

The soil scientist evaluates the effectiveness of soil quality standards according to vegetation conditions and associated ecological sites. Training and monitoring of soil quality standards and land potentials is integrated with other monitoring efforts in support of resource management plans-- all providing quality assurance and adherence to soil standards, protocols and analysis methods.