Guides: Conservation, Horticulture &amp; Ecosystem Management: Soils

eBooks

Australian Soil and Land Survey Field Handbook Specifies methods, standards and terminology used in soil and land survey investigations.
The Australian Soil Classification - 2nd ed The Australian Soil Classification provides a framework for organising knowledge about Australian soils by allocating soils to classes via a key.
The Australian soil classification - 3rd ed The main change in the third edition accommodates new knowledge and understanding of the significance, nature, distribution and refined testing for soils comprising deep sands, leading to the inclusion of a new Order, the Arenosols. The introduction of the Arenosol Order led to a review and changes to Calcarosols, Tenosols and Rudosols, and an opportunity to update the Organosol key based upon new and recently acquired soil data.
Australian Soil Fertility Manual A practical manual explaining the basics of soil-plant relationships and the principles of fertilizer use.
Interpreting Soil Test Results A handy, practical reference for anyone needing fast access to guidelines for interpreting soil test results.
Soil Analysis: an Interpretation Manual A practical guide to soil tests for Australian soils and conditions.
Soil Chemical Methods - Australasia Describes over 200 laboratory and field chemical tests relevant to Australasia and beyond.
Soils for Landscape Development Soils for Landscape Development provides a clear, practical and systematic template for specifying landscape soils based on scientific criteria.

Websites

CSIRO - Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia Researchers from across Australia have joined together to develop detailed digital maps of the country’s soil and landscape attributes.
Drought Tip: Reclaiming Saline, Sodic, and Saline-Sodic Soils Salt-affected soils cause poor plant growth, affect crop production, and reduce water use efficiency. The reclamation of salt-affected soils can lead to better water management, water use efficiency, and crop production.
Horticulture Australia - Factsheets etc Discover information, updates and resources related to levy investments, as well as general information on who Hort Innovation is and how we’re working with you and for you.
Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia Researchers from across Australia have joined together to develop detailed digital maps of the country’s soil and landscape attributes.
Using Wetlands to Remove Microbial Pollutants from Farm Discharge Water Besides growing crops, a farmer is an active steward of the natural resources that support those crops. Just a few acres of wetlands on the farm can easily filter ag water for many harmful microbes introduced through livestock- or crop-related use.
WA Agriculture & Food : Soils Western Australia’s agriculture sector needs access to quality soil that can sustain long-term productivity and growth. The department is leading the way in developing management practices to maximise soil productivity and minimise land degradation.
WA Dept Primary Industries - Soil groups of WA Australian Soil Classification
Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management Wheatbelt NRM works with the people of the Wheatbelt on natural resource management projects to build a stronger community and environment for future generations.

Online Videos

Deep Down and Dirty: The Science of Soil It takes a thousand years to form a single inch of soil. It is a fragile layer on the surface of the land—yet essential to all life on Earth. But where did soil come from and how was it made? Gardening expert Chris Beardshaw reveals the secrets locked within soil.
Earth's Solid Membrane: Soil How does soil appear on a newly born, barren volcanic island? In this session, participants explore how soil is formed, its role in certain Earth processes, its composition and structure, and its place in the structure of the Earth.
Gardening Australia - Soil This program ends its 25th anniversary year with four specials that take a look at the factors that influence plant growth, including water, climate and light. This first special begins with soil health.
How to apply the nitrogen Peter Proctor explains how to make a nitrogen mix with cow dung or lawn clippings and why nitrogen is good for compost.
How to construct a compost heap Follow Peter Proctor's step-by-step directions for creating a compost heap; manure = nitrogen.
How to make good compost Peter Proctor has been making compost for 60 years. He discusses the conditions for making compost.
What happens next ? Peter Proctor offers advice on bird nets and taking care of the edges of a compost heap. He explains how to turn a compost heap after it has sat for at least one month.

Munsell Soil Colour Chart

Munsell Soil Colour Charts The Munsell Soil Color Charts is a way to evaluate the type of soil that is present within a given area. The book is set up to allow users to make soil color evaluations in the field quickly and easily. The soil classification system that has been developed around the Munsell color system is an established and accepted process to assign a soil type.

Munsell Soil Colour Chart (How to video) This video is about how to use a Munsell Soil Color Chart.

Books in the Library

Growing Media for Ornamental Plants and Turf ...for practicing horticulturists, groundskeepers, landscapers, and gardeners. ...advances in horticultural production, with significant revisions to chapters on soil-borne diseases, fertilizers, nursery practices, turf irrigation, and drainage. Other additions to the book include plans for roof gardens, vertical gardens, and water-recycling projects.
Soil : the incredible story of what keeps the earth, and us, healthy In this ode to the thin veneer of Earth that gifts us life, commentator and farmer Matthew Evans shows us that what we do in our backyards, on our farms, and what we put on our dinner tables really matters, and can be a source of hope.
Soils in the Australian Landscape ... Soils are the skin of landforms, and the book begins by reviewing the broad patterns and evolution of landforms in Australia. This country's distinctive landform and climatic history--together with the great age of most of the land surface--explains much of its variety of soils. This variety is described using the Australian Soil Classification ...
Soils of South-western Australia This book focuses on the soils in the south-west of Western Australia, describing what they are like and how they came to be like that. It aims to be clear and simple without denying the complexity of the soils.
Understanding Soils in Urban Environments Details the physical, chemical and engineering properties of soils and how they can be managed.

DVD's in the Library

Dirt: the Movie Featuring live action and animation, this movie examines the history and current state of the living organic matter that we come from and will later return to.
The Living Soil Uses slow-motion and time-lapse photography to depict both the life of the soil and the life within it. The soil is shown as both the source and the product of the cycle of life and decay. There is musical accompaniment, but no commentary.
Salinity Australia's silent menace Salinity has been called the biggest environmental threat to Australia in the 21st century. This series looks at every state affected by salt and examines the threat of salinity, from its ancient origins to its impact on our land and its people today and in the future.
Soil and decomposition This video shows the processes involved in decomposition and explains how it results in increased soil fertility.

PDF's online

National Soil Strategy The National Soil Strategy (the Strategy) is a 20-year strategy that sets out how Australia will value, manage and improve its soil.
Revegetation Guide by Soil Type This publication is designed to assist land manager to identify the different vegetation and soil types that make up the Central and Eastern Wheatbelt.
A simple guide for describing soils Soils are enormously diverse and can be very confusing to understand and talk about. This simple guide for describing soils helps to identify the most important parts of a soil profile and provide an easy way to understand and explain what you see.