Please identify a physical location in the U.S.A. (this location could be a forest preserve, a farm, a recreational area, mining site, reclaimed wetland) where conservation practices and ‘land productivity’ can be improved through programs and policies. Note, productivity can be defined in terms of crop yield and/or other ecosystem services (eg: providing habitat for pollinators). Clarify what productive functions you are concerned about.
Explain why there is a need for the program (provide a justification tied to productivity constraints) using data that shows trends (a negative outcome like declining water quality, loss of habitat). Your description of the problem should include a description of the soil resource of interest in a representative area using web-soil survey (there are helpful links at the end of this document to get you started) and other relevant sources that help you understand the site and factors that influence it’s functionality. Factors could include soil type, climate, and land use that impact the long term productivity of that site. *If your paper covers a region or large area then you will need to choose a representative area in web-soil survey using the area of interest that is appropriate. Assess soil productivity (functionality) using relevant metrics and produce and attach a soil report. The info you select to include in this report should be logically related to the soil function(s) you want to improve.
Identify a conservation program or policy that has been used to address issues of concern (protect or increase land productivity. This addresses the problem by improving soil or land function. Summarize when, why and how the conservation program was developed. Clearly state the program or policy objectives and explain how the program or policy has been administered. Discuss who is eligible if relevant.
Summarize program performance in terms of outcomes- this may be acres covered, numbers of participants, and/or dollars spent. You can do this for the state or region that includes the area you selected. Discuss whether the program has been a success based on improved ecosystem services, or outcomes (eg: reduced erosion rates) achieved. Try to use data to support your assessment. Please use tables or figures to illustrate this if possible. Metrics do not have to match those selected from Web Soil Survey exactly but should be logically related.
