The Science of Soil- It's More than just Dirt

Speaker: Pat Stutz

Soils are more than just dirt! Soils have more organisms than any other habitat in the world and yet, so little is known about these amazing ecosystems. There is a dynamic world full of life underneath our feet that is constantly evolving. Learn all about soils including what counts as a soil, how they are formed, how we classify them, and how we can improve soil health.

Pat Stutz is a naturalist at the Holliday Park Nature Center and a former naturalist at Eagle Creek’s Ornithology Center. Pat has a master's degree in Forestry and Natural Resources from Purdue University, and worked extensively in a soil ecology lab, studying soil pathogens. He has a passion for all things in the natural world and loves to teach others about the wonders of nature.

Sponsor: Karen Bumb

Program: Live and Zoom: The Science of Soil - It’s More than just Dirt

Speaker: Pat Stutz, MS, Naturalist, Holliday Park Nature Center

Introduced By: Karen Bumb

Attendance: NESC: 89; Zoom: 35

Guest(s): Holly Day, Sandra Ditusa, Howard Friedman, Allison Kurtz, Terry Langdon

Scribe: Bill Dick

Editor: Carl Warner

View a Zoom recording of this talk at: https://www.scientechclubvideos.org/zoom/03102025.mp4

Pat Stutz talked about soil. Pat is a Purdue grad, who worked at Eagle Creek’s Ornithology Center and now is with the Holiday Park Nature Center. Soil is lost every day, and it takes a long time to renew.

Soil consists of sand, silt, clay, and water. Soil formation is a function of climate, organisms, topographical relief, parent material and time. Soil is alive – one teaspoon has billions of bacteria. Soil organisms break down plant litter and animal material. They increase water, air and nutrients in soil. Plants prevent compaction and hold onto soil.

Temperature and precipitation are important. Organic material decomposes and wind and water affect soil. The physical features of the soil are important. Water runs off hills and pools in valleys. Parent material is necessary for soil development. Time is necessary for soils to develop. Each soil is unique. 

Soils have layers or horizons: organic material, topsoil, eluviation layer, subsoil, parent rock and bedrock. Soils are classified depending on their content. As many as 12 soil texture classifications exist (USDA). Indiana has some of the best soil available as the result of two glacial periods depositing minerals in the soil. Moisture was added and silt laid down. Part of Indiana consist of Miami soils – moist, forest soil.

Healthy soil is needed for clean air and water, for supporting manmade structures, growing crops and for grazing, maintaining natural landscapes, and providing for organisms. Soil has five essential functions: controlling water, sustaining life on earth, filtering pollutants, cycling nutrients, and providing stability. Bad soil management exists with heavy chemical use, frequent tilling, low biodiversity, and leaving soil uncovered. Loss of topsoil and erosion occurs.

Soil can be improved by testing the soil, adding organic matter and avoiding compaction. Soil should be kept covered, chemicals should be limited, native species should be planted, and crops should be rotated.

Pat Stutz