Soil Survey Technology

Soil Survey
One of the main tools available to help land users determine the
potentials and limitations of soils is a soil survey.
Investigations involve digging holes on representative portions of
landforms to determine the texture, color, structure, rock fragment
kind and amount, reaction of the soil and the relationship and
thickness of the different soil horizons.
Soils are sampled and tested at soil survey laboratories for certain soil
property determinations, such as cation-exchange capacity and bulk
density.
Like any tool, a soil survey is helpful only if you know what it can and
can't do, and if you use it accordingly. The survey does not replace
careful onsite investigation or analysis by a soil scientist

How do we develop soil survey products?

Point documentation

Identify soil components

Develop map units

SSURGO products

Populate tabular data

Produce spatial layer

Terms

STATSGO
State Soil Geographic database
spatial and tabular, generalized soil data
within-state, coarse scale (1:250,000), often generalized SSURGO
SSURGO
Soil Survey Geographic database
spatial and tabular
typically most detailed (1:24,000), publicly available data
Map unit
Represents an area dominated by one or more major
kinds of soil, termed components, or miscellaneous
areas
Components are defined by taxonomic classification
and further by series criteria
-major components are generally >15%
-minor components are generally <15% and not
populated unless significant interpretation, i.e. wetland
Mapunits are named for the dominant soil series(s)
which occupy the mapunit

Terms contd
Soil properties: Soil properties are measured or inferred from direct observations
in the field or laboratory. Examples of soil properties are particle-size distribution,
cation-exchange capacity, and salinity.
Soil Qualities: Soil qualities are behavior and performance attributes that are
not directly measured. They are inferred from observations of dynamic
conditions and from soil properties. Examples of soil qualities are corrosivity,
natural drainage, frost action, and wind erodibility.
Soil Interpretations: Soil survey interpretations predict soil behavior for specified
soil uses and under specified soil management practices. Soil interpretations use
soil properties or qualities that directly influence a specified use or management of the soil.

Types of Map Units

A consociation - map unit that consists of one major soil or
miscellaneous area plus any components of minor extent. The
major component is identified in the map unit name.
A complex - two or more soils or miscellaneous areas in such
an intricate pattern or in such small areas that they cannot be
shown separately on the maps. The pattern and proportion of
the soils or miscellaneous areas are somewhat similar in all
areas
An association - two or more geographically associated soils
or miscellaneous areas shown as one unit on the maps, not
considered practical or necessary to map the soils or
miscellaneous areas separately

Breakdown of how scale of mapping relates to map units and components

Soil Survey Order

Map Scale

Minimum Delineation
Size (acres)

Kinds of Map Units

Map Unit
Components
(soils)

Map Unit Components

(ecological sites)

2nd Order
(Intensive; general
agriculture, urban
planning)

1:12,000 1:31,680

1.4 10.0

Mostly soil
consociations

Soil series phase

Single ecological site associated

with soil series phase. Ecological
site delineations are based on soil
taxonomic units.

3rd Order
(Extensive; range,
community planning)

1:20,000 1:63,360

4.0 40.0

Mostly soil associations

or soil complexes

Soil series or soil

series phase

Multiple ecological sites may be

associated with multiple soil map
unit components. Individual
ecological sites in a soil
association or soil complex are
not delineated within the soil map
unit.

4th Order (Extensive;

general land-use potential
and land management)

1:63,360 1:250,000

40.0 623.0

Mostly soil associations

Soil series or taxa

above the series

Ecological sites are generally not

delineated at this soil survey
order.

SSURGO

Soil Survey Geographic database

SSURGO data available from

http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov/
Available by State, County, Soil Survey Area

SSURGO Products
Access soil database used in conjunction with soil spatial data of the same vintage

This information is usually stored at F:\FOTG\Section_II of the field office server

SSURGO Products
Access soils database
The access soil database produces soil reports

Select map units in area of interest

Select report that is needed

Click on generate report button

Tip: in order for access to run, macros must be enabled.

SSURGO Products
eFOTG

Section II

-provides soil properties and

interpretations for soil survey area
-needs to be used in conjunction with
spatial soils layer of same vintage

http://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov//efotg_locator.aspx

Web Soil Survey

http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/HomePage.htm

Web Soil Survey --purpose

- Web application that provides customers (producers, agencies,
Technical Service Providers, and others) electronic access to relevant
soil and related information needed to make wise land use &
management decisions
-Provides alternative to traditional hardcopy publication
- Provides means for quicker delivery of information
- Provides interactive access to most current data

-Allows customer to get just information they want/select

- Map units for their geographic area of interest (AOI)
- Information relevant to their land use concerns e.g.
rangeland or cropland

Products produced by WSS

- Soil Map on color imagery or topographic map backdrop for the AOI
from SSURGO data (where available)
- Soil Data Mart tables by AOI
- Custom Soil Resource Report
- Download of SSURGO data clipped to the
limit of the defined AOI
- Custom Soil Resource Report (PDF) via the free Shopping Cart
-By AOI
-Soil map, map unit legend, map unit descriptions
-Content specifically chosen by user
-Thematic Maps (with tables and text)
-Tabular data tables
-Introductory material

Tools and features of web soil survey

Web soil survey opening screen

Tools and features of web soil survey

-Generates a spatial and tabular download

Tools and features of web soil survey

Tools and features of web soil survey

Tools and features of web soil survey

-The link feature will create a shortcut that can be re-visited in your list of favorites
-I could only get it to work with 6 vertices to go to favorites
-To get more then 6 vertices, copy the link URL to word and paste
back into browser when the AOI is needed

Tools and features of web soil survey

Tools and features of web soil survey

Describes the map tools

Identify available data

Zoom in

Measure

Zoom out

Identify

Pan

Zoom Forward
Zoom to full extent

Zoom Back

Zoom to AOI

Tools and features of web soil survey

Legend tab
-Open the legend by clicking on the legend tab label and close by clicking the X

Tools and features of web soil survey

Map scale

-click on
-A dialog box will come up with instructions
-A devise capable of measuring inches is needed

Simply adjust the black line segment to an inch long on the screen

Tools and features of web soil survey

Page layouts
Normal page layout (default)- places the controls and forms to the left

Full Width map layout-places the controls and forms to the bottom and
has full screen map viewing

Four basic steps to using Web Soil Survey

Step 1: Define the Area of Interest

-First you need to navigate to the area of interest using several different navigation tools

or

Step 1: Define the Area of Interest contd

Navigation done by using the soil survey area navigation tool

Step 1: Define the Area of Interest contd

-There are a few main tools to define the area of interest

AOI from polygon or rectangle

AOI from shapefile

AOI from soil survey area

-The only way to define an AOI of greater than 10k acres is to set the AOI to the soil survey area

Step 1: Define the Area of Interest contd

AOI set to soil survey area

-greater than 10,000 acres

Step 1: Define the Area of Interest contd

Create AOI from shapefile
-Browse to and select needed
.shp and .prj files for AOI

*The shapefile must be comprised of one polygon

Step 1: Define the Area of Interest contd

Create AOI using rectangle or polygon tools

*The AOI can be exported as a zipped shapefile for later use

Step 2: Create Soil Map

Creating a soil map is done in one simple step
-simply click on the soil map tab and a soil map in the AOI is generated

Step 2: Create Soil Map

At this point you can create a printable version of the soil map
You can also click on map unit names
-A printable version can also be generated

-Or add it to shopping cart as

part of the soil report product
-click on printable version button

-A printable soil map with legend will be generated

Step 3: Soil Data Explorer

To activate the soil data explorer, click on the Soil Data Explorer tab

Step 3: Soil Data Explorer, contd

Features

-Filter the soil information by land use category

- Learn the terminology and concepts of soils and specific land

uses
-View interpretive soil data and soil properties in the form of
thematic maps, tables, and text description
- Access ecological site information

- Print individual maps and reports

- Add content to free Shopping Cart

Step 3: Soil Data Explorer, contd

Soil information can be filtered by land category to limit the amount of reports to a specific use

Step 3: Soil Data Explorer, contd

Intro to soil tab
Goes over the terminology and concepts of soils and specific land uses
-Select a topic and click view, a narrative will be generated

Step 3: Soil Data Explorer, contd

Step 3: Soil Data Explorer, contd

Calcium carbonate content with layer options set to surface layer

Step 3: Soil Data Explorer, contd

Ecological site map aggregated by dominant component

Step 3: Soil Data Explorer, contd

Report-chemical soil properties

-You can create a printable
version by clicking the printable
version button in the upper right

Soil Data Viewer

Soil Data Viewer is a tool built as an extension to ArcGIS that allows a user to
create soil-based thematic maps and reports.
The Soil Data Viewer provides users access to soil interpretations and soil
properties while shielding them from the complexity of the soil database.
A report is produced in PDF format.

AGGREGATION
Soil data viewer and Web Soil Survey use aggregation methods.
Aggregation reduces all populated component attributes to a single representative
value of the map unit.

AGGREGATION METHODS:
DOMINANT CONDITION Groups Components with
Similar Conditions and Returns Value for the Highest
% Composition
DOMINANT COMPONENT Returns Value for the
Highest % Composition Component
WEIGHTED AVERAGE % Component Used as
Weighting Factor to Average All Populated
Components
ALL COMPONENTS Returns Min or Max Value
Depending on Tie-Break Rule (could be the smallest
component)

UC Davis web application

UC Davis web app: http://casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/soilweb_gmap/

Scenario 1
Tree recommendation
A landowner wants to purchase trees for a windbreak.
The landowner gives you the PLSS code: sec. 32 T35N
R80W.
Task: Query to the AOI by PLSS and generate a report for potential
trees for windbreak.

Scenario 2
Tree recommendation
A small acreage landowner stops by and heard about the soil survey
and was wondering about the soils on their property. They are also
considering buying some trees for their property. The land is in
western Wyoming where the soil survey is in initial status and some
of the soil information is incomplete. The report for Windbreaks
and Environmental plantings is emptyoh man, what do I do?

Scenario 2 contd
Tree recommendation
Soil criteria to make decision:
Soil depth
Available water capacity (AWC)
Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)
pH
Electrical conductivity (EC)
depth to water table
hydraulic conductivity (Ksat)

Guides for selecting trees (local, state)

Scenario 3
Seed recommendation
A small acreage landowner just completed construction of their home
and are looking to establish their yard. They are diggin the xeriscape idea
for their yard.
Task: find potential native vegetation for the landowners xeriscape project

Rangeland Productivity and Plant Composition

Ecological site assessment

Scenario 4
Ecological site description
A producer is interested in improving range health on their property.
The ecological site description is the best tool to help the producer
better understand the soil and vegetative communities on their property.
Task: create an ecological site map and provide the producer with
ecological site descriptions for their property.

Scenario 4 contd
Ecological site description

Ecological site map aggregated by dominant component

*may also want to refer the producer to a range management specialist

Ecological site report

Scenario 5
Subdivision review
XY developers is in the process of applying for a subdivision. The developer
fills out the application and pays the fee for the subdivision review.
Task: generate soil interpretations and reports that are pertinent to the
subdivision review process.

Scenario 5 contd
Subdivision review
Reports/ratings that should be generated:
Flooding frequency
depth to water table
hydric soil rating
septic tank absorption fields
Potential Erosion Hazard (Roads, Trails)
Local Roads and Streets
Dwellings with Basements
Corrosion of Concrete
Corrosion of Steel
Consult FEMA map about susceptibility to and frequency of flooding

Scenario 5 contd
Subdivision review
Flooding Frequency

Water features report

Flooding frequency class aggregated by dominant condition

Scenario 5 contd
Subdivision review
Depth to water table

Water features report

Depth to water table aggregated by dominant condition

Scenario 5 contd
Subdivision review
Hydric soils

Hydric soils report

Hydric Rating by Map unit

Scenario 5 contd
Subdivision review
septic tank absorption fields

Septic tank absorption fields aggregated by dominant condition

Scenario 5 contd
Subdivision review
Erosion Hazard (Road, Trail)

Erosion Hazard (Road, Trail) aggregated by dominant condition

Scenario 5 contd
Subdivision review
Local Roads and Streets

Local Roads and Streets aggregated by dominant component

Scenario 5 contd
Subdivision review
Dwellings With Basements

Dwellings with basements aggregated by dominant condition

Scenario 5 contd
Subdivision review
Corrosion of Concrete

Corrosion of Concrete aggregated by dominant condition

Scenario 5 contd
Subdivision review
Corrosion of Steel

Corrosion of Steel aggregated by dominant condition

Any