A method for measuring prince Edward Island soil quality

Abstract

Prince Edward Island (PEI) has a land area of 575,000 hectares and its landscape is undulating. About half the land is cleared, the other half under natural forest. The long term effect of intensive farming practices on soil health is becoming a matter of concern as it is felt that soil quality may deteriorate through continuous agrichemical inputs and loss of productive topsoil through erosion. This study was established to: set up a process to measure soil quality, establish soil quality indicators, measure soil quality on an on‐going basis and report results to the public. The sampling locations were selected on a 4 km x 4 km grid across PEI. A total of 232 agricultural sampling locations were selected and located by GPS (Global Positioning System). A cluster of up to five samples was taken at each location, depending on land use. One sample will be taken at the selected GPS coordinates and the other four, 100 metres due south, north, west and east respectively. In the 232 sampling locations selected, the actual number of samples taken will be 796. One third of the sampling locations are being sampled each year, starting in 1998. Three groups of parameters are being measured: Physical Parameters (depth of A and B horizons soil type, length and degree of slope, position of sample on slope, crops grown, crop rotation and type of tillage), Chemical Parameters (Organic Matter, Total Carbon, pH, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Boron, Zinc, Sulfur, Manganese, Iron, Sodium, CEC, and Base Saturation), Microbial Parameters (microscopic observation, enzyme assays). The analyses of the collected data focuses on determining the existence of statistically significant relationships among the measured variables. The methods to be applied include logistic and linear regression, examination of correlations, as well as methods specifically designed for spatial or geographic data. GIS (Geographical Information System) maps of PEI are being be developed to show patterns of the various parameters measured. As data collection proceeds over time, time series methods or longitudinal methods of regression will also be employed to determine if the relationships or associations observed in the initial data hold up over time. This project will provide information to policy makers, researchers and the general pubic about Prince Edward Island current soil quality and the trends in soil quality over time.