Scope of Soil Science

• Conduct general and detailed soil surveys
• Determine the hydric (wetness) characteristics of the soil
• Recommend soil management programs
• Help to design hydrologic plans in suburban areas
• Monitor the effects of farm, ranch, or forest activities on soil productivity
• Give technical advice used to help plan land management programs
• Predict the effect of land management options on natural resources
• Prepare reports describing land and soil characteristics
• Advice land managers of capabilities and limitations of soils (e.g., timber sales, watershed rehabilitation projects, transportation planning, soil productivity, military maneuvers, recreation development)
• Train other personnel
• Prepare technical papers and attending professional soil science meetings
• Conduct research in public and private research institutions
• Manage soils for crop production, forest products and erosion control management.
• Evaluate nutrient and water availability to crops
• Manage soils for landscape design, mine reclamation, and site restoration
• Investigate forest soils, wetlands, environmental endangerment, ecological status, and archeological sites
• Assess application of wastes including non-hazardous process wastes (residue and sludge management)
• Conduct studies on soil stability, moisture retention or drainage, sustainability, and environmental impact
• Assess environmental hazards, including hazardous waste sites that involve soil investigation techniques, evaluation of chemical fate and transport phenomena, and remediation alternatives
• Regulate the use of land and soil resources by private and public interests (government agencies)