Sensor-Based Mapping of Soil Quality on Degraded Claypan Landscapes of the Central United States

Abstract

Claypan soils (Epiaqualfs, Stagnic Luvisols) in the central United States have experienced severe erosion as a result of tillage practices of the late 1800s and 1900s. Because of the site-specific nature of erosion processes within claypan fields, research is needed to achieve cost-effective sensing and mapping of soil and landscape properties that quantify the soil's current ability to produce crops and provide ecosystem services the concepts of soil quality. In this research, EC(a) sensors, aerial imagery, yield mapping, and a horizontally operated penetrometer were used for high-resolution mapping of soil quality indicators on a 36-ha claypan soil field in Missouri. Field areas experiencing the most erosion now have reduced grain production, lower plant-available water capacity (PAWC), and slower infiltration. These same areas have higher soil penetration resistance (at 30 cm), yet greater subsoil nutrients. The conclusion of this synthesis is that combining sensor-based information provides a much clearer picture of spatially important characteristics of claypan soil quality and can be used by land managers to target remediation of degraded soils and implement precision conservation practices.