Soil Science

Birch Ecology’s team of associates includes Dave Buscher, a Certified Professional Soil Scientist and former NRCS Soil Scientist who is an invaluable resource for ecological restoration and wetlands projects.  Dave works onsite during earthwork to ensure proper soil handling for restoration and wetland creation projects.  In addition, he is an expert in hydric soil identification for wetland delineations, and has extensive experience mapping and describing fens.

Hydric Soil with Redoximorphic Features. Photo Credit: Dave Buscher

SOIL NUTRIENT TESTING, EVALUATION & RECOMMENDATIONS

Soil specifications are a critical component of successful restoration projects.  We collect samples for agronomic testing, then evaluate the laboratory data and provide specifications for soil amendments, tilling, and restoration planning based on the goals and design of each project.

Examining a Soil Pit.

SUITABILITY ANALYSIS FOR RESTORATION PLANNING

Salvaging and reusing topsoil, and/or importing additional topsoil, is often required by large restoration projects.  To facilitate restoration planning, Mr. Buscher works onsite to identify suitable topsoils and proper stripping depths for calculations of available volumes. He also works to delineate areas that are unsuitable based on salt content, metals, or other contamination, and evaluates the suitability of imported soil.

Soil Suitability Analysis for Restoration Planning. Photo Credit: Dave Buscher

ORGANIC SOIL IDENTIFICATION AND MAPPING

Organic soils occur in fen wetlands and other peatlands.  These highly valuable ecological communities are given special protections by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, EPA, U.S. Forest Service, and other regulatory agencies.  Mr. Buscher is an expert in identifying and mapping fen communities in Colorado, an important skill for delineating wetlands in mountain environments.

Floating Organic Soil Mats of a Fen in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado.

RESTORATION OVERSIGHT AND PLANNING

Mr. Buscher works with the Birch Ecology team to develop plans and specifications for topsoil stripping, storage, handling, replacement, and seedbed preparation, then provides oversight of earthmoving contractors during plan implementation.

Restoration of a Pipeline Corridor in Eagle, Colorado.

FERTILIZER SPECIFICATIONS

Proper fertilizer rates are needed to establish native vegetation without an abundance of weeds.  We provide customized specifications for our restoration projects based on agronomic testing and analysis of laboratory data.

Preparing to Fertilize a Pipeline Revegetation Site in Eagle, Colorado.