Environmental SciencesEnvironmental Sciences

Water PropertiesWater Properties

Water has been called the Water has been called the universal solvent because as a universal solvent because as a material it dissolves or otherwise material it dissolves or otherwise changes most other materialschanges most other materials

The water cycle is the cycling of The water cycle is the cycling of water between water sources, water between water sources, atmosphere, and surface areasatmosphere, and surface areas

Water cycleWater cycle

Precipitation is the release of Precipitation is the release of moisture as rain or snowmoisture as rain or snow

Evaporation is the process during Evaporation is the process during the water cycle when water the water cycle when water changes from a liquid to a changes from a liquid to a gaseous stategaseous state

Water CycleWater Cycle

Water propertiesWater properties

Types of water:Types of water:Capillary water is water that plant Capillary water is water that plant

roots can absorb or take uproots can absorb or take upFree water (gravitational) is water Free water (gravitational) is water

that drains out of a soil after it has that drains out of a soil after it has been wetbeen wet

Water propertiesWater properties

Permeability is the rate of Permeability is the rate of movement of air and water movement of air and water through the soilthrough the soil

Saturation is the special condition Saturation is the special condition that exists when water is added that exists when water is added until all the spaces or pores are until all the spaces or pores are filledfilled

SaturationSaturation

Usually happens after heavy Usually happens after heavy rainfall over a period of timerainfall over a period of time

Example: two or more inches of Example: two or more inches of rainfall during a relatively short rainfall during a relatively short period of time (perhaps 3 hours)period of time (perhaps 3 hours)

Soil HorizonSoil Horizon

There are several soil horizons There are several soil horizons and we are going to focus on and we are going to focus on

threethree

Soil HorizonSoil Horizon

AA TopsoilTopsoil Dark brown to yellowDark brown to yellow Generally loose, crumbly, well broken Generally loose, crumbly, well broken

upup Zone of leachingZone of leaching Usually contains more organic matterUsually contains more organic matter

Soil HorizonSoil Horizon

BB SubsoilSubsoil Brown, red, yellow, or grayBrown, red, yellow, or gray Generally larger chunks, may be Generally larger chunks, may be

dense or crumbly, can be cement likedense or crumbly, can be cement like Zone of accumulationZone of accumulation

Soil HorizonSoil Horizon

CC Parent materialParent material

Weathering of parent material or rockWeathering of parent material or rock

Surface and subsurface Surface and subsurface characteristicscharacteristics

Soil texture refers to the size of Soil texture refers to the size of soil particlessoil particles A. Sand – largest soil particle in soilA. Sand – largest soil particle in soil

• 1. Have a hard time holding water for 1. Have a hard time holding water for good plant growthgood plant growth

• 2. Individual particles can be seen 2. Individual particles can be seen with naked eyewith naked eye

Soil TextureSoil Texture

B. Silt – intermediate size B. Silt – intermediate size soil particles that can’t be soil particles that can’t be seen with the naked eyeseen with the naked eye

Soil TextureSoil Texture

C. Clay – smallest soil particleC. Clay – smallest soil particle Clayey soils hold lots of water but Clayey soils hold lots of water but

may be airtight, infertile for root may be airtight, infertile for root growth, and associated with wet growth, and associated with wet soils.soils.

Soil StructureSoil Structure

Refers to the way soil particles Refers to the way soil particles cling together to form soil units or cling together to form soil units or aggregates, while leaving pore aggregates, while leaving pore space to store air, water, space to store air, water, nutrients, and allow root nutrients, and allow root penetration.penetration.

Types of Soil StructureTypes of Soil Structure

1. 1. SingleSingle – grain is associated with sandy – grain is associated with sandy soilsoil

2. 2. GranularGranular – particles cling together to – particles cling together to form rounded units (aggregates)form rounded units (aggregates)

3. 3. BlockyBlocky – particles cling together in – particles cling together in angular units (aggregates)angular units (aggregates) Typical of soils with high clay contentTypical of soils with high clay content

Soil classificationsSoil classifications

Land capability maps are based Land capability maps are based on the physical, chemical, and on the physical, chemical, and topographical aspects of the landtopographical aspects of the land

Soil classificationsSoil classifications

Are designated by Roman numerals I Are designated by Roman numerals I through VIIIthrough VIII

Class I and II land is the best for the most Class I and II land is the best for the most intensive cultivation of field cropsintensive cultivation of field crops

Class VII land is very steep sloping and Class VII land is very steep sloping and best used for planting treesbest used for planting trees

Class VIII land is best suited for wildlife Class VIII land is best suited for wildlife and recreationand recreation

Soil conservation and Soil conservation and enhancementenhancement

Two types of erosionTwo types of erosion SheetSheet GullyGully

“ “ No-till” is a cropping technique used No-till” is a cropping technique used to reduce soil erosionto reduce soil erosion Crops are planted directly into the Crops are planted directly into the

residue of a previous crop without residue of a previous crop without plowing or diskingplowing or disking

Very effective erosion controlVery effective erosion control

Soil conservation and Soil conservation and enhancementenhancement

Conventional tillage- uses tillage Conventional tillage- uses tillage system that disturbs the soil surface system that disturbs the soil surface by plowing, disking, and/or harrowingby plowing, disking, and/or harrowing

Conservation tillage- intermediate Conservation tillage- intermediate tillage system between conventional tillage system between conventional and no-tilland no-till

Use fertilizer to add nutrients to the Use fertilizer to add nutrients to the soilsoil

Soil conservation and Soil conservation and enhancementenhancement

Use lime as an amendment to Use lime as an amendment to raise soil pHraise soil pH Increases availability of nutrientsIncreases availability of nutrients Example: if soil pH is 5.5, lime may Example: if soil pH is 5.5, lime may

be added to raise soil pH to a more be added to raise soil pH to a more acceptable 7.0 levelacceptable 7.0 level

Careers for various education Careers for various education levelslevels

Bachelor’s degree would be the Bachelor’s degree would be the minimum for:minimum for: Soil scientist- classify soil according to Soil scientist- classify soil according to

the most appropriate usethe most appropriate use Soil conservation- assist landowners in Soil conservation- assist landowners in

implementing best land use practicesimplementing best land use practices Wildlife biologist- do research on Wildlife biologist- do research on

habitat and wildlife as part of careerhabitat and wildlife as part of career

Careers for various education Careers for various education levelslevels

Less than 4 year college Less than 4 year college degree:degree: Soil technician- uses soil Soil technician- uses soil

auger/ soil tube to take soil auger/ soil tube to take soil samples and do field worksamples and do field work

Wildlife technician- works in Wildlife technician- works in the field tagging animals the field tagging animals and gathering dataand gathering data

Forestry and It’s Forestry and It’s Importance in the US Importance in the US and the Environmentand the Environment

Softwoods- needle type Softwoods- needle type evergreensevergreens

Southern pineSouthern pine Includes loblolly, longleaf, short Includes loblolly, longleaf, short

leaf and slash pine.leaf and slash pine. Most commonly used for pulpwood Most commonly used for pulpwood

and plywoodand plywood

http://www.state.sc.us/forest/reftree.htm - contents

Loblolly pineLoblolly pine

Longleaf pineLongleaf pine

Short leaf pineShort leaf pine

Slash pineSlash pine

Frazier firFrazier fir

Used for commercial Christmas Used for commercial Christmas tree productiontree production

Grown in the mountains of NCGrown in the mountains of NC                                            

http://www.nelsonstrees.com/shop.asp

Douglas firDouglas fir

Perhaps the most important Perhaps the most important species of tree in the USspecies of tree in the US

Use for construction lumber and Use for construction lumber and plywoodplywood

http://www.orst.edu/instruct/for241/con/spp/dgfspp.html

Hardwoods- deciduous treesHardwoods- deciduous trees

Ash: Ash: Used for handles, Used for handles,

baseball batsbaseball batsResembles oak and has Resembles oak and has

a high resistance to a high resistance to shockshock

http://www.magdalin.com/herbal/plants_pages/a/ash_tree.htm

BirchBirch

Used for furniture, plywood, Used for furniture, plywood, panelingpaneling

Made into veneerMade into veneer

http://www.state.sc.us/forest/tidtsim.htm#rb

Oak (white and red)Oak (white and red)

Flooring, furniture, fencingFlooring, furniture, fencingVery strong woodVery strong wood

http://www.state.sc.us/forest/tidlob.htm

Replacing Trees That Have Replacing Trees That Have Been HarvestedBeen Harvested

The least expensive method to The least expensive method to replace harvested trees is “natural replace harvested trees is “natural seeding”seeding”

A surer method of replacing A surer method of replacing harvested trees is to plant harvested trees is to plant seedlingsseedlings

Managing Growing TimberManaging Growing Timber

A “Prescribed burn” is used to A “Prescribed burn” is used to reduce the risk of wild fires by reduce the risk of wild fires by eliminating forest littereliminating forest litter

““Prescribed thinning” is Prescribed thinning” is recommended to remove some recommended to remove some trees when competition slows the trees when competition slows the growth of all treesgrowth of all trees

Harvesting timberHarvesting timber

““Selection cutting” is the Selection cutting” is the harvesting method recommended harvesting method recommended in a mixed forest of trees in a mixed forest of trees consisting of different ages and consisting of different ages and speciesspecies

““Clear cutting” is a system of Clear cutting” is a system of cutting timber where all of the cutting timber where all of the trees in an area are removedtrees in an area are removed

Careers in Equipment in Careers in Equipment in ForestryForestry

Foresters provide assistance in Foresters provide assistance in managing forest for the family as managing forest for the family as well as the commercial growerwell as the commercial grower

Foresters may recommend Foresters may recommend reseeding a harvested tract with reseeding a harvested tract with the most appropriate seedlingsthe most appropriate seedlings

Careers in Equipment in Careers in Equipment in ForestryForestry

Foresters may use or recommend Foresters may use or recommend the following tools:the following tools: Increment borer to determine the Increment borer to determine the

age of trees within a standage of trees within a stand Planting bar for planting seedlingsPlanting bar for planting seedlings Tree scale stick to estimate tree Tree scale stick to estimate tree

volumevolume Tree tape: circumference Tree tape: circumference

ToolsTools

Increment borerhttp://www.pfmt.org/

inventories/increment_borer.htm

Planting bar procedurehttp://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/

naturalresources/DD0481.html#pm

Careers in Equipment in Careers in Equipment in ForestryForestry

Timber cruisers are hired by private Timber cruisers are hired by private landowners and companies to landowners and companies to estimate the tree volume on a tract estimate the tree volume on a tract of landof land Do outdoor work that requires physical Do outdoor work that requires physical

staminastamina Requires a high school diploma and Requires a high school diploma and

special training in estimating tree special training in estimating tree volumevolume

Wildlife Management Wildlife Management Practices and It’s Practices and It’s Relationship to Relationship to

Environmental SciencesEnvironmental Sciences

Wildlife Management PracticesWildlife Management Practices

Usually a by-product of the family Usually a by-product of the family operationoperation

Suitable habitat and food are essential to Suitable habitat and food are essential to increase the number of wildlife on a farmincrease the number of wildlife on a farm Habitat: brush pilesHabitat: brush piles Food: crop residueFood: crop residue

Wildlife Management PracticesWildlife Management Practices

Proper wildlife management includes Proper wildlife management includes managed hunting and fishingmanaged hunting and fishing Removes excess wildlife that would Removes excess wildlife that would

otherwise be lost due to natural causesotherwise be lost due to natural causes Prevents overpopulation, which results in Prevents overpopulation, which results in

malnutrition, disease and a reduction in malnutrition, disease and a reduction in reproduction which will result in decreased reproduction which will result in decreased wildlife populationwildlife population

Wildlife Management PracticesWildlife Management Practices

Carrying capacity is the number of Carrying capacity is the number of wildlife each habitat can support wildlife each habitat can support throughout the yearthroughout the year Managed hunting and fishing will Managed hunting and fishing will

help maintainhelp maintain More wildlife than the habitat can More wildlife than the habitat can

support will result in problems support will result in problems

More wildlife than habitat can More wildlife than habitat can supportsupport

Wildlife are affected by malnutrition, Wildlife are affected by malnutrition, disease, and a reduction in the disease, and a reduction in the reproductive cyclereproductive cycle

Habitat quality goes down. Example, Habitat quality goes down. Example, water quality of a stream with a water quality of a stream with a carrying capacity of 20 fish will carrying capacity of 20 fish will decrease if 50 fish are in the streamdecrease if 50 fish are in the stream

Careers in Wildlife ManagementCareers in Wildlife Management

Ecologists study the effects of the Ecologists study the effects of the environment on animal lifeenvironment on animal life

Wildlife biologists advise Wildlife biologists advise government agencies in government agencies in establishing fish/game laws and establishing fish/game laws and habitat improvement programshabitat improvement programs

Careers in Wildlife ManagementCareers in Wildlife Management

Game warden (wildlife officer)Game warden (wildlife officer) Enforces hunting and fishing regulations Enforces hunting and fishing regulations

as means of wildlife managementas means of wildlife management Should enjoy working outdoorsShould enjoy working outdoors In NC- government employee under NC In NC- government employee under NC

Wildlife CommissionWildlife Commission NC Wildlife Commission is responsible NC Wildlife Commission is responsible

for controlling the harvest of wildlifefor controlling the harvest of wildlife

Aquacultures Aquacultures Importance to Importance to Environmental Environmental

ScienceScience

Aquaculture and Management Aquaculture and Management of Fish Productionof Fish Production

Hatcheries supply fry or larvae to units for Hatcheries supply fry or larvae to units for fingerling productionfingerling production

Cage culture contains the aquatic animals or Cage culture contains the aquatic animals or plants in a small area of a pondplants in a small area of a pond Fish can be monitored better for growth rates and Fish can be monitored better for growth rates and

feeding purposesfeeding purposes Water quality must be monitored to insure that the Water quality must be monitored to insure that the

fish are not stressed or killed since fish cannot fish are not stressed or killed since fish cannot move to other sections of the pond during stressful move to other sections of the pond during stressful weather conditionsweather conditions

Aquaculture and Management Aquaculture and Management of Fish Productionof Fish Production

Roll over is a condition where a Roll over is a condition where a pond’s water quality suddenly pond’s water quality suddenly changes during certain weather changes during certain weather conditionsconditions

During roll over, less oxygenated During roll over, less oxygenated water is brought to the surface and water is brought to the surface and low levels of dissolved oxygen cause low levels of dissolved oxygen cause fish to diefish to die

Aquaculture and Management Aquaculture and Management of Fish Productionof Fish Production

The difficulty in managing an The difficulty in managing an aquaculture production system is aquaculture production system is directly related to the density of directly related to the density of fish, etc in the systemfish, etc in the system

Aquaculture and Management of Aquaculture and Management of Fish ProductionFish Production

Dissolved oxygen levels in any fish system Dissolved oxygen levels in any fish system can become so low that fish die.can become so low that fish die. Dissolved oxygen levels are lowest in early Dissolved oxygen levels are lowest in early

morningmorning Aerators are used to improve oxygen levels Aerators are used to improve oxygen levels

during dry hot periodsduring dry hot periods

Aquaculture and Management of Aquaculture and Management of Fish ProductionFish Production

Water quality must be closely monitored Water quality must be closely monitored when recirculation tanks are used to raise when recirculation tanks are used to raise fishfish Recirculation tanks process waste water Recirculation tanks process waste water

through a biological filter and return it to the through a biological filter and return it to the growing area.growing area.

Aquaculture and Management Aquaculture and Management of Fish Productionof Fish Production

Many types of fish are adapted to Many types of fish are adapted to aquaculture systemsaquaculture systems

Trout are adapted to systems in Trout are adapted to systems in cold, running watercold, running water

Catfish, Striped Bass, and Tilapia Catfish, Striped Bass, and Tilapia also are important speciesalso are important species

THE ENDTHE END