Description: Soil types vary widely all over the world - and even on a single trail! Understanding the physical characteristics of soil and having the ability to categorize soil is VERY important to successful trailbuilding. This session will provide applicable knowledge of soil including soil description, grain size distribution and its measurement, clay plasticity, and compaction curves and the importance of water.
Learning Objectives:
Understand the soil triangle (Clay, Silt, Sand) and how to classify soil types in the field
Understand soil concepts that directly relate to trails including permeability, drainage, load bearing, cohesion, compaction and soil density
Use soils knowledge to better understand soil surveys and maps and anticipate problems on the trail
Speaker: Alex Man, Ph.D, Trail Tutors