Manoch Kongchum and Michael D. Materne
Wetlands function as habitats for animals and plants, as filters for water for wildlife and humans, as a sink to mitigate flooding and as recreation areas. People recognize the value of wetlands and try to protect and recover them for many uses. In recent years, researchers and scientists from various fields have been seriously concerned about losses of wetland ecosystems and the surrounding areas.
Wetland soils are known for their high organic matter and as areas for habitats for a variety of plants and animals. Soil characteristics become one of the major determinants of the types and abundance of plant species that grow there. Reliable information on the status and extent of wetland resources in particular areas can be used to determine the nature of soil development and the types of plant and animal communities living in the soil and on its surface. To work efficiently in wetland restoration, the basic soil properties associated with wetlands formation must be clearly understood.
The LSU AgCenter’s Coastal Wetlands Soils Characterization Lab – the wet soils lab – was established in 2004 in response to the requirements of universitywide research projects, government agencies, business and industry. The lab provides analytical information on the chemistry and physical properties of soils, particularly from coastal wetlands. The lab receives more than 10,000 soil samples from Louisiana and other states each year. Its testing procedure typically follows the Soil Survey Laboratory Methods and covers a wide array of soil testing services – soil texture, organic matter, bulk density, cation exchange capacity, sodium absorption ratio, exchangeable sodium percentage, acidity and aluminum, electrical conductivity, salinity and soil pH.
In 2005, the U.S. Geological Survey was monitoring the effectiveness of all projects restoring, creating, enhancing and protecting the coastal landscape through the Coastwide Reference Monitoring System Wetland Project. The LSU AgCenter’s wet soils lab was chosen to perform soils analyses for these programs.
Generally, clients contact the lab directly or get information off the Web site. They then send soil test request forms and samples to the lab and are charged reasonable fees for the services. Please feel free to contact Manoch Kongchum by phone at (225) 578-1994 or by e-mail at wetsoilslab@agcenter.lsu.edu for further information.
Manoch Kongchum, Instructor, and Michael D. Materne, Instructor, School of Plant, Environmental & Soil Sciences, LSU AgCenter, Baton Rouge, La.
(This article was published in the spring 2007 issue of Louisiana Agriculture.) |