Getting the Most Out of Soil Survey: New Tools for Old Data

For the past 90 years, the USDA has been actively mapping the soils of the United States.  The result of their efforts, The USDA –NRCS Soil Survey Database is the world’s most complete soil map.  The database contains data on the distribution and properties of soils with near complete coverage of the United States.  The soil survey database can be a powerful tool for understanding and managing soils but only if used correctly.  In this discussion, we will show how the history of soil survey imposes limitations on the use of soil survey data and demonstrate strategies to cope with these limitations.  Additionally, we will demonstrate new tools for accessing soils data and discuss what advances we can expect in the next 90 years of soil survey.