The module focuses on the Hydric Soil Technical Standard. The Hydric Soil Technical Standard (HSTS) provides a quantitative method of determining if a soil meets the definition of a hydric soil. The HSTS can be used to: 1) Identify a soils forming as hydric soils when a field indicator may not be present (e.g. wetland creation sites, problematic hydric soils); 2) Evaluate the current functional status of a hydric soil (e.g. change to hydrology); and 3) Propose changes to hydric soil indicators (e.g.

The module focuses on wetland functions attributed directly to hydric soils. Functions are the biological, chemical, and physical processes that occur in wetlands. Hydric soils play a direct role in the wetland functions of water retention (short term and long term), sedimentation, carbon sequestration and biogeochemical cycling of nutrients. Due to their capacity to become anaerobic close to the surface, hydric soils support unique plant communities and wildlife habitat unlikely to be found in uplands.

This module begins with a review of redox reactions and redoximorphic features. Reduction and concurrent oxidation (redox) are the dominant chemical processes taking place in wetland soils. There are abiological and biological driven redox reactions in wetland soils. The module will focus on the reactions driven by microbial breakdown of organic matter in soils under saturated conditions that lead to unique anaerobic conditions that meet the hydric soil definition of USDA.

This module focuses on describing soil color. Soil color and the color patterns in soil can tell you a lot about the soil. It is an especially good indicator of soil wetness and hydric soils. The primary components that give a soil its color are soil organic matter, iron, and the color of soil particles. The Munsell Soil Color System is the standard we use to document soil color. When documenting soil color it is important to note matrix color, mottle colors, and type, location and abundance of mottles.

This module focuses on two physical soil properties - texture and structure. Soil texture describes the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay in a mineral soil. In soils where organic matter contents are high (such as hydric soils) organic textural classes or modifiers may be used to describe the soil texture instead. Soil structure describes the naturally occurring arrangement of soil particles into peds or aggregates. The combination of soil texture and structure influences how water is stored and moves through the soil, as well as other soil processes.

This module will cover both the five factors of formation and horizonation vs. simple processes. The module presentation will begin with a review of redox reactions and redoximorphic features. Reduction and concurrent oxidation (redox) are the dominant chemical processes taking place in wetland soils. There are abiological and biological driven redox reactions in wetland soils. The session focuses on reactions driven by microbial breakdown of organic matter in soils under saturated conditions that lead to unique anaerobic conditions that meet the hydric soil definition of USDA.

This is a recorded webinar that covers the 2020 resource concerns and planning criteria.

Tech Talks is a online training series organized by the Technical Training and Certification Program. Rotating speakers cover a wide variety of technical topics at 1:00 on the identified Mondays. Miss a session you were interested in? We record every presentations and make replays available in the Online Learning section of the TTCP website.

This is the ninth webinar, delivered in 4 segments, in NAWM and NRCS’s jointly-developed nine-part wetland training webinar series. The webinar began with a look at how weather and climate are different, and how the climate has been changing and will continue to change over time. The webinar shared how these changes over time have affected wetlands and may continue to affect wetlands and decisions about their management.

This is the eighth webinar, delivered in 5 segments, in NAWM and NRCS’s jointly-developed nine-part wetland training webinar series. The webinar began with a brief overview of USDA’s many wetland-related programs. The webinar introduced these programs and when planners should consider using them. This portion of the webinar also explored the complexity created by regional issues, water rights, coastal issues, changing weather patterns and other challenges that planners need to understand in order to make effective decisions when working with landowners.