Soil Science Education: Adaptation of Soil Judging (Evaluation) to Libya

Hamdi A. Zurqani; Elena A. Mikhailova; Christopher J. Post; Mark A. Schlautman; Julia L. Sharp; khalid B.  Judour; Abuabdall S. Sherif

doi:10.54172/mjsc.v38i1.1203

Authors

Hamdi A. Zurqani University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Arkansas Forest Resources Center, University of Arkansas at Monticello https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9250-4534
Elena A. Mikhailova Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, SC, USA
Christopher J. Post Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, SC, USA
Mark A. Schlautman Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Clemson University, SC, USA
Julia L. Sharp Department of Statistics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA,
khalid B. Judour Department of Soil and Water, Zawia University, Libya
Abuabdall S. Sherif Department of Soil and Water Sciences, University of Tripoli, Libya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54172/mjsc.v38i1.1203

Keywords:

Africa, Aridisols, Entisols, Agriculture, Environment, Education, Farming, Land use

Abstract

Adaptation of Soil Judging to Libya involves tailoring Soil Judging materials to the country's local context. The objectives of this study were to adapt Soil Judging to Libya and evaluate it in various locations in Libya. Different soil judging handbooks from the United States (US) were used to develop teaching materials for Libya (including tables of soil physical and chemical properties and scorecards). The soil judging scorecard was enhanced by adding more specific information relevant to Libya (e.g., soil salinity, calcium carbonate, etc.). Libyan users were asked to complete a survey on the usefulness of Soil Judging in Libya. Eighty-two percent of those surveyed were unaware of Soil Judging prior to this study. After completing Soil Judging trials in various locations in Libya, 95% of those surveyed indicated that Soil Judging is helpful in natural science education in Libya. Future improvements to Soil Judging should include better equipment and explanation.

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