Assessing quality in volcanic ash soils

Abstract

Forest managers must understand how changes in soil quality resulting from project implementation affect long-term productivity and watershed health. Volcanic ash soils have unique properties that affect their quality and function; and which may warrant soil quality standards and assessment techniques that are different from other soils. We discuss the concept of soil quality and how it may be altered by activity-induced soil disturbances. A practical application of the use of soil disturbance categories and physical soil indices used to perform operational soil monitoring on an ash cap soil is also discussed.

Parent Publication

• Volcanic-ash-derived forest soils of the inland Northwest: Properties and implications for management and restoration

Citation

Craigg, Terry L.; Howes, Steven W. 2007. Assessing quality in volcanic ash soils. In: Page-Dumroese, Deborah; Miller, Richard; Mital, Jim; McDaniel, Paul; Miller, Dan, tech. eds. 2007. Volcanic-Ash-Derived Forest Soils of the Inland Northwest: Properties and Implications for Management and Restoration. 9-10 November 2005; Coeur d’Alene, ID. Proceedings RMRS-P-44; Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 47-66