Getting to Know a Catena: A Field Exercise for Introductory Soil Science

Hands‐on experience is an important part of learning about soils. Examining a catena of soils in the field is an excellent way to help students broaden their knowledge of soil profiles and soil–landscape relationships. This article provides a detailed description of a field exercise that allows students to see and experience the effects of topography on soil morphology using a side‐by‐side examination of four soil series representing drainage classes from well drained to poorly drained. Attention is drawn to teaching techniques that can maximize the educational benefits of the field exercise.