Project 4 Proposal

Area of Interest Statement:

Interested in creating a tessellation with varying degrees of color found in soil around campus. (Preferably soil within on area of UWF property, but may change depending on availability of soil color variety.)

Thesis Statement:

This research project will focus on soil quality, soil component, and soil color found among soil along UWF’s E.B. Nature Trail.

Introduction:

Trailing along the west side of UWF’s main campus, E.B. Nature Trail is a half-mile long nature trail beginning behind Crosby Hall (Building 10) and snakes around in a loose oval shape to end near the start of the trail. Along E.B. Nature Trail, visitors can enjoy long peaceful walks or explore a bit of Thompson’s Bayou with canoes / kayaks. Throughout the trail, various mammals, birds, and fish can be seen among a sea of trees. Supporting all of the wildlife present in the nature trail is soil and their various contents that keep many of the plants thriving with quality components.

Primary Research Sources:

1. 1. How To Read A Munsell Color Chart (n.d.) munsell.com. Retrieved from

   https://munsell.com/about-munsell-color/how-color-notation-works/how-to-read-color-chart/

   
   
   

   2. David H. (September 2013). Color Interpretation and Soil Textures [Powerpoint Slides]. Florida Health. Retrieved from

   http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/onsite-sewage/training/_documents/1-soil-colors.pdf

   
   
   

   3. Colorado FFA (n.d.). Soil Color and Its Causes [Powerpoint Slides]. Retrieved from

   http://ffa.cccs.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/plant-U6L5.ppt

   
   
   

   4. Natural Resources Conservation Service (n.d.). The Color of Soil. United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved from

   https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/edu/?cid=nrcs142p2_054286

   
   
   

   5. Cornell Cooperative Extension (n.d.) How To Take A Soil Sample. Cornell University. PDF file. Retrieved from

   http://cceonondaga.org/resources/how-to-take-a-soil-sample

   
   
   

   6. Athia H. (October 2, 1988).The Art of Navajo Sand Painting. The New York Times. Retrieved from

   https://www.nytimes.com/1988/10/02/travel/the-art-of-navajo-sand-paintings.html

   
   
   

   7. Pennsylvania Envirothon (n.d.). The Color of Soil. envirothonpa.org. PDF file.Retrieved from

   http://www.envirothonpa.org/documents/munsellcharts.pdf

Fieldwork Locations:

E.B. Nature Trail and the edges of Thompson’s Bayou

Data to Gather at Field:

1. Soil Color
2. Soil Component (component giving color)
3. Soil type
4. Moisture

Type of Final Product: 24” x 24” sand/soil tessellation on canvas

Planned Visual Outcome of Final Product:

Materials: soil moisture meter, Munsell Color Guide, glue, large canvas/foam board, and at least 5 samples of soil of varying colors

Size: 24 inches x 24 inches

Other Formal Elements: visuals of quilt, tilings, tessellation, and mosaics.

Questions and Statements

1. What allows different soils and sands to appear in different colors?
   
   The main factor is soil component; red colored soil will appear more vibrant when the level of oxidized iron oxides are higher while the lowers levels will appear as a dull yellowish-white color. Darker soils that are closer to dark brown and black have high levels of organic matter; some soil are darker colored also because of specific minerals. White and tan colored sand are made from higher levels of quartz crystals.
   
2. How does moisture affect soil color?
   
   Higher levels of moisture allows soil to appear darker while dryer soils allows soil to appear duller.
   
3. What significance does the Edward Ball Nature Trail have in UWF?
   
   Edward Ball Nature Trail is a nature trail and wildlife sanctuary built on the UWF campus on November 16, 1969 as a collaboration with the Edward Ball Wildlife Foundation to introduce sanctuaries to college/university campuses.