LandPKS Terminology
Glossary
- Available Water-Holding Capacity (AWC)AWC is an estimate of the amount of plant-available water that a soil can hold.
- Compaction LayerA compaction layer is a near-surface layer of dense soil that is hard for crop roots and water to penetrate. Soil compaction is usually caused by the repeated impact on or disturbance of the soil surface, such as by tillage, trampling by large herbivores, and other traffic especially when soils are moist. Read more about soil health indicators.
- Ecological SiteAn ecological site is a distinctive area of land that produces different types and amounts of vegetation. Individual ecological sites differ in plant production, species composition, climate characteristics, geology, and soil properties, as well as the ability to respond to management actions and natural disturbances.
- HabitatThe term “Habitat” refers to the natural home or environment of a plant, animal, or other organism.
- Land Capability Class (LCC)The Land Capability Classification (LCC) System is a global tool for classifying land based on its potential for sustainable agricultural production and other uses. LCC can help determine if land is suitable for certain uses and whether there are risks for degradation.
- Land CoverLand Cover: The physical coverage of the land, usually expressed as vegetation cover, human-made features, barren land, or water. Related to, but not synonymous with, land use. Definition credit: WOCAT Glossary
- Land PotentialLand potential is defined as the inherent, long-term potential of the land to sustainably generate ecosystem services.
- Land UseHuman activities, which are directly related to the land, making use of its resources, or having an impact upon it. Influenced by, but not synonymous with, land cover. Definition credit: WOCAT Glossary
- Organic MatterPlant and animal residue in the soil at various stages of decomposition. Soil organic matter has an important role in the physical, chemical, and biological function of soils.
- Rangeland HealthThe degree to which the integrity of the soil, vegetation, water, and air, as well as the ecological processes of the rangeland ecosystem, are balanced and sustained. Integrity is defined as maintenance of the structure and functional attributes characteristic of a locale, including natural range of variability.
- Rock FragmentFragments of rock or minerals having a diameter of 2 millimeters or greater. This threshold is related to the fact that the spaces or pores between larger fragments are too large to hold water. LandPKS uses a threshold of >5mm when recording cover as 2-5mm fragments are easily moved by raindrops.
- Soil ColorSoil color is a tool for correctly identifying your soil and can be an important indicator of soil health. Soil color is most commonly measured using the Munsell System, which measures soil color in three components: hue, value, and chroma.
- Soil HealthSoil health, also referred to as soil quality, is defined as the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans. This definition speaks to the importance of managing soils so they are sustainable for future generations.
- Soil IDThe LandPKS SoilID module provides direct access to information about soils that have been mapped near your location. It also helps identify your soil by ranking nearby soils from most to least likely match. The SoilID module provides information from the NRCS Soil Survey and from the FAO’s Harmonized World Soil Database (international).
- Soil LimitationsThese refer to characteristics such as deep, vertical cracks in dry soil, salt found on a soil’s surface, high flooding risk, low PH, surface stoniness, water table depth and the depth of soil to bedrock. They can have major implications for land use. In most instances, such limitations can limit root growth and crop production; when not taken into account, they can also lead to long-term degradation of the land.
- Soil Surface Infiltration RateSoil infiltration refers to the soil’s ability to allow water movement into and through the soil profile. Surface infiltration rates are a measure of how fast water enters the soil.
- Soil TextureSoil texture is defined by the relative fractions of sand, silt, and clay-sized particles in a soil sample. Soil texture is considered one of the soil’s most important properties, influencing nearly all soil processes and functions.
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Jornada Experimental Range
Range Management Research Unit
2995 Knox St.
Las Cruces, NM 88003-0003, USA
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