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Spatial variability of soil nutrients at selected AESA soil quality benchmark sites

Description

Spatial analysis of selected soil properties sampled at three AESA sites indicated that the sampling area could be expanded except for N. Further soil nutrient sampling in different ecoregions... More ≫

Description

Spatial analysis of selected soil properties sampled at three AESA sites indicated that the sampling area could be expanded except for N. Further soil nutrient sampling in different ecoregions will validate this initial conclusion.

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Soil classification of two soil quality benchmark sites (2-615, 802)

Description

This report describes two sites (Site ID #2-615, 802) that were added to the original benchmark sites to form the soil and landform classification project being conducted by Alberta Agriculture, ... More ≫

Description

This report describes two sites (Site ID #2-615, 802) that were added to the original benchmark sites to form the soil and landform classification project being conducted by Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (AAFRD) as part of a province wide soil quality monitoring program of agricultural lands. This resource monitoring is a component of the Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture (AESA) program to identify and monitor the impact of agricultural production on soil and water resources.

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The micronutrient and trace element status of crops grown on the Alberta soil quality benchmark sites

Description

Crop micronutrient concentrations of both vegetative tissues and grain, if applicable, were measured from 17 selected AESA soil quality benchmark sites in the fall of 2003. Micronutrients analyzed... More ≫

Description

Crop micronutrient concentrations of both vegetative tissues and grain, if applicable, were measured from 17 selected AESA soil quality benchmark sites in the fall of 2003. Micronutrients analyzed included boron, cadmium, chlorine, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, silicon and zinc. The purpose of this report is to provide an account of these micronutrient concentrations and to correlate them with a number of selected soil properties including soil pH, organic carbon, sand, silt and clay content, cation exchange capacity and calcium carbonate concentrations. In addition, the uptake, translocation and importance of each micronutrient are discussed, as is a summary of the effect of micronutrient partitioning between the grain and straw fraction, the effect of landscape form and the effect of provincial ecoregion on their concentration.

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The micronutrient and trace element status of forty-three soil quality benchmark sites in Alberta

Description

This report describes the micronutrient and trace element status of the AESA (Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture) Soil Quality Benchmark Sites. This study includes forty-three... More ≫

Description

This report describes the micronutrient and trace element status of the AESA (Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture) Soil Quality Benchmark Sites. This study includes forty-three benchmark sites distributed across the agricultural regions of Alberta. The sites are located in seven ecoregions, namely: Peace Lowlands (PL); Mixed Boreal Upland (MB); Boreal Transition (BT); Aspen Parkland (AP); Moist Mixed Grassland (MM); Fescue Grassland (FG) and Mixed Grassland (MG).

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Preliminary analyses of five years of soil data from the AESA soil quality benchmark sites

Description

The AESA (Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture) Soil Quality Benchmark Program was established in 1998 to provide a monitoring network across Alberta. From each of 43 ecodistricts... More ≫

Description

The AESA (Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture) Soil Quality Benchmark Program was established in 1998 to provide a monitoring network across Alberta. From each of 43 ecodistricts within seven ecoregions, one site was chosen to represent the soil-landscape patterns and agronomic practices of that ecodistrict. The sites are within farmers' fields and subject to the farmers' management practices. Soil topographic sequences (upper, mid and lower slope positions) are monitored at each site. Samples taken in 2002 represent the fifth consecutive year of monitoring. Although the overall objective of the benchmarks is to serve as a cross validation dataset across Alberta for soil quality modeling, changes in soil quality over time and the effects of management and soil/landscapes can also be monitored. Paper presented to the 40th Annual Alberta Soil Science Workshop, February 18-20, 2003, Edmonton, Alberta.

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Alberta benchmark site selection and sampling protocols

Description

The development of a province-wide network of benchmark sampling was initiated in the spring and summer of 1998 by the Conservation and Development Branch of Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural... More ≫

Description

The development of a province-wide network of benchmark sampling was initiated in the spring and summer of 1998 by the Conservation and Development Branch of Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (AAFRD). Monitoring of these benchmark sites is part of the AESA (Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture) Soil Quality Monitoring Initiative.

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AESA soil quality benchmark sites. Soil organic matter

Description

Analysis of soil organic matter (SOM), conducted on the AESA Soil Quality Benchmark sites, has revealed some significant differences in the per cent of organic carbon and total nitrogen in... More ≫

Description

Analysis of soil organic matter (SOM), conducted on the AESA Soil Quality Benchmark sites, has revealed some significant differences in the per cent of organic carbon and total nitrogen in Alberta's agricultural ecoregions, depending on soil horizon and slope positions. Because SOM varies between ecoregions, and within a single field based on slope position, the assessment of SOM is very site-specific. The study findings highlight the importance of conserving high SOM levels in soils and identify some ways farmers can do this.

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Soil quality benchmarks in Alberta

Description

Long term benchmark soil sampling started in the fall of 1998 to monitor soil quality across Alberta landscapes and is part pf the AESA (Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture) Soil... More ≫

Description

Long term benchmark soil sampling started in the fall of 1998 to monitor soil quality across Alberta landscapes and is part pf the AESA (Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture) Soil Quality Monitoring Initiative. These sites were chosen to be representative of the soil-landscape patterns and agronomic practices within a given ecodistrict. This paper will introduce the soil quality benchmark project. its intent and data of the first year of benchmark establishment. Paper presented to the 36th Annual Alberta Soil Science Workshop, February 16-18, 1999, Calgary, Alberta.

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