User

soil beginner

Difficulty/Levels

Level 1

Data Type

Description

What is the meaning and importance?

Anthropogenic activities largely influence the soil quality of agricultural fields and the composition of soil.

Anthropogenic soils (anthrosoils) are soils that have been influenced, modified or created by human activity, in contrast to soils formed by natural processes.

They are found worldwide in urban and other human-impacted landscapes. Anthrosoils are formed by: (1) sealing a natural soil beneath pavement or other artificially manufactured impervious material, (2) transformation of a natural soil by human action, or (3) development of a new soil profile in parent materials created and deposited by human action.

Cause-activities include road erosion, house construction, steep slope cultivation, tourism development, and animal trampling.

These activities destroy the surface vegetation and increase the potential for soil compaction, and soil loss through exposed swallow holes (karst fissures).

What is the method for collection?

• Evaluation of the anthropogenic impact
• Comparison with representative photos (see below)
• Identification of which kind of trash can be found in the area

How long does it take to collect?

10 minutes

Evaluation Parameters

(If applicable: 1=good; 2=fair; 3=poor)

• Toggle the lists below and compare with the pictures.