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Compare Cation exchange capacity
Compare Cation exchange capacity
Soil Sample Sites:
Soil Sample Sites:
Our Madrona Marsh soil sample sites feature native coastal prairie (B1 and B2) and freshwater wetlands (B3 and B4), which serve as a crucial sanctuary for diverse plant life, migratory birds, and small wildlife. It consists of seasonal vernal pools in the southwest portion of the reserve in a low-lying, self-contained depression surrounded by upland coastal prairie habitat.
Our Madrona Marsh soil sample sites feature native coastal prairie (B1 and B2) and freshwater wetlands (B3 and B4), which serve as a crucial sanctuary for diverse plant life, migratory birds, and small wildlife. It consists of seasonal vernal pools in the southwest portion of the reserve in a low-lying, self-contained depression surrounded by upland coastal prairie habitat.
Site B1: Coastal Prairie
Site B2: Upland Prairie
Site B3: Vernal Pool
Site B4: Wetland Freshwater Marsh
How healthy is the soil at Madrona Marsh Nature Preserve?
How healthy is the soil at Madrona Marsh Nature Preserve?
ACTIVITY 2: Create a visual chart describing the cation exchange capacity for each habitat and how it can be improved if the target is 15+ meq/100mg at the sampled sites: B1 (coastal prairie), B2 (upland prairie), B3 (vernal pool), and B4 (freshwater marsh). Upload a digital copy of your chart below.
ACTIVITY 2: Create a visual chart describing the cation exchange capacity for each habitat and how it can be improved if the target is 15+ meq/100mg at the sampled sites: B1 (coastal prairie), B2 (upland prairie), B3 (vernal pool), and B4 (freshwater marsh). Upload a digital copy of your chart below.
2026 Soil Test Results
2026 Soil Test Results
Path Soil (Control):
Path Soil (Control):
B1: Coastal Prairie
B1: Coastal Prairie
B2: Upland Prairie
B2: Upland Prairie
B3: Vernal pool
B3: Vernal pool
B4: Freshwater Marsh
B4: Freshwater Marsh
Prairie soils typically have a high Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) due to high organic matter and clay content, generally ranging from 15 to 25+ meq/100g. This high CEC enables prairie soils to retain significant nutrients (Ca, Mg, K) and support rich plant growth.
Prairie soils typically have a high Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) due to high organic matter and clay content, generally ranging from 15 to 25+ meq/100g. This high CEC enables prairie soils to retain significant nutrients (Ca, Mg, K) and support rich plant growth.
POSSIBLE WAYS TO INCREASE CATION EXCHANGE CAPACITY:
POSSIBLE WAYS TO INCREASE CATION EXCHANGE CAPACITY:
- CEC only comes from organic matter or clay. Clay content is difficult to increase in soil, so the only solution may be to increase the amount of usable organic matter.
- An increase in CEC indicates some increase in the quantity of organic matter. This fraction is consumed by microbes over 1-3 years, requiring the regular addition of organic matter to maintain a high CEC.
- Use no-till or minimum tillage to retain the organic matter in the soil.
- Need to reduce or eliminate any compaction of the top 12 inches so that air and water can move freely throughout, which is needed for the aerobic microbes to function.
Vernal pool soils generally exhibit a moderate to high cation exchange capacity (CEC), typically ranging from roughly 15 to over 30 meq/100g, depending on the clay content and organic matter. The high CEC is largely driven by the presence of fine-textured clay soils (such as vertisols or soils with claypan subsoils), which are essential for forming the impermeable layer that allows the pool to hold water.
Vernal pool soils generally exhibit a moderate to high cation exchange capacity (CEC), typically ranging from roughly 15 to over 30 meq/100g, depending on the clay content and organic matter. The high CEC is largely driven by the presence of fine-textured clay soils (such as vertisols or soils with claypan subsoils), which are essential for forming the impermeable layer that allows the pool to hold water.
Any questions or suggestions? Please let contact us at: info@teachme.foundation
Any questions or suggestions? Please let contact us at: info@teachme.foundation
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