On this page, you will find helpful materials for preparing for the soil and land use portion of the Indiana Envirothon Competition. 

2021 Soil and Land Use Resources

Soil and Land Use Objectives
  1. Identify partnering agencies and be aware of the programs that assist land users with soil issues.
  2. Know and understand the 5 soil forming factors, their influence on soil properties, and the soil forming processes.
  3. Know basic characteristics of the 12 soil taxonomic orders and know what soil orders are in Indiana.
  4. Be able to recognize and identify features of soil profiles, properties, characteristics, structures, and be able to determine soil texture.
  5. Recognize the importance of soil and that biological diversity is important for soil health and the health of those connected to the soil.
  6. Understand the relationships of soil ecosystems as well as hydrologic, carbon, and nutrient cycles to soil management.
  7. Understand that soil fertility relates to physical and chemical properties of the soil including quantity of nutrients essential for plants, and why it reflects the physical, chemical, and biological state of the soil.
  8. Understand how different land uses and conservation practices impact soils and erosion, and the importance of soil management to agriculture/rural areas, urban environments, and to clean water, including point and non-point source pollution.
  9. Understand key terminology relating to soils and land use.

Aquatic Ecology

Reference Material & Learning Objectives

Wildlife

Reference Material & Learning Objectives

Forestry

Reference Material & Learning Objectives

Current Issue

Reference Material & Learning Objectives
2021 Topic: Water Resources Management:  Local Control and Local Solutions