Field

Material :

• Spade
• Zip bag for sampling (and further lab analysis)

Time needed:

20 minutes

Procedure:

1. Take a moist soil sample from an uncultivated/undisturbed area, place it in a bag and label it as ‘reference sample’
2. Take a moist soil sample from the area you want to study, place it in a bag and label it with ‘(code of the zone) sample’ (also include a number, in case you are doing multiple surveys within the same zone)
3. Using the three photographs below, compare the relative change in soil colour between a handful of soil from the ‘reference sample’ and another handful of soil from the zone you are monitoring.
4. Record the scores in your table below and take photographs for record
5. Repeat the process at all zones you wish to monitor

Example from a dry fig orchard in South Portugal.