Update of Gray Wooded (Luvisolic) Soils Management Publication

Background
This University of Alberta publication on management of Gray Wooded Soils is a unique initiative. The book describes management methods that farmers could use to improve productivity of these soils. The Gray Wooded Soils are respectively classified as follows in the Canadian, US Soil Taxonomy, and the United Nations – Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Soil Classification system.

Canadian Classification - Gray Luvisol
US Soil Taxonomy, Soil Classification - Boralfs
FAO Soil Classification - Albic Luvisol, Gleyed Luvisol

These soils formed in the Boreal Plains of the overall Boreal Forest region, one of eight Eco zones considered part of the Boreal Forest. Luvisolic soils are one of the three main soil orders for forested soils in Canada. (Orthic Gray Luvisol) Luvisolic soils are dominant in forested landscapes underlain by loamy tills derived from underlying sedimentary rocks or on clayey lacustrine deposits. The other two orders, Podzolic and Brunisolic, are primarily found on sand-dominated parent materials through the Boreal forest region. In Alberta most of the soils have formed in glacial or fluvial/lacutrine glacial deposits. The dominate tree species consist of white spruce, lodgepole pine, jack pine and trembling aspen in the better drained portions of the landscape, and black spruce, tamarack and balsam poplar in poorer drained portions of the landscape. The Luvisolic soils occur in the better drained areas mixed with fens and bogs containing organic soils in the poorly drained areas.

The recommendations for agricultural management of these soils are based on research results evaluating various crop rotations, liming to neutralize the normal acidic pH, and addition of N, P, K and S fertilizers.

The goal of the project is to revise and update "Gray Wooded Soils and their Management. 1972. Bentley, et al". This would include digitizing the text, tables, figures and images in a searchable PDF form and adding new information to supplement the previous version. There will be use of hyperlinks, new imagery, and new data tables. If time permits, further contributions from IPNI / Russian soil scientists with expertise in Luvisolic soils would be integrated.

This project would be a nice winter, and rainy weather project without large field costs, for graduate student and summer students to assist working on.

Timeline: January – February 2016
Deliverables: Digital PDF with updates.