Voltolini,
I have often wanted ways to estimate things like "bulk density," porosity,
infiltration rate, percolation rate, and other factors related to land use
and abuse. I am also interested in the effects of treading upon soils. I
don't know how extensive your study is, or how you will use the information,
so I'm not sure how understand what you are trying to determine. I have
never used penetrometers because I just couldn't get my mind to trust a
spring and a point. In the applications I have encountered I have found
other ways to asses "compaction" and related factors, usually simpler, than
that. I have often wondered
I guess I have trouble drawing certain conclusions, even from "hard" data.
Certain conditions can be inferred in other ways, but the relevance of data
to ecological dynamics and function always will be questionable, I suppose.
I have gone so far as to use an ice pick or similar "instrument," and "feel"
to estimate soil porosity; this primitive method does, however, require much
"calibration" in soils of known density, moisture content, etc., or reliance
upon experience (which can be gained in about a day and improved over the
years-a good test with students might be to compare estimates).
You are probably familiar with Kubiëna, Walter L., "Micromorphological
Features of Soil Geography," Rutgers University Press, 1970. I draw your
attention to pages 4 and 70, which may be of special interest. The general
"lesson" is the alternative of studying living soils in-place. I have grown
increasingly of the opinion over the years that standard engineering data
and tests, while useful to a point, are often insufficient for
ecology-related work.
I look forward to hearing more about your work.
WT
Copy to Ecolog-l for information and comment.
----- Original Message -----
From: "J C Voltolini" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, May 15, 2011 8:32 AM
Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Pocket soil penetrometer
Hello,
Probably several people from this list are using soil penetrometers to
estimate soil compactation and I need to order at least two of them to use
in field courses and research projects but there are several models and I
would like to receive opinions about the models.
I need to use them in rainforest trails used by ecotourists and other forest
trails invaded by cattle and horses too. In some trails there mud and I dont
know if I can use a pocket version in these cases. Thats why I am asking for
help in the ecolog list too!
Thanks for any help!
Voltolini
Prof. Dr. J. C. VOLTOLINI
Universidade de Taubate - Departamento de Biologia
Taubate, SP. 12030-010. E-Mail: [email protected]
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'Siamo tutti angeli con un'ala e possiamo volare soltanto se ciabbracciamo'
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