GEOG M107 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: National Cooperative Soil Survey, Soil Survey, Soil Horizon
Document Summary
Soil surveys as a basis for land use planning. Warmer air holds more water vapor > colder air. Soil surveys: produce maps and soil descriptions that compile information about soils and landscapes where they occur. Land use planning works on multiple scales to help make the best use of land with practices that meet current needs and protect land resources and future needs. 1800s: soil surveys began as geology maps. 1894: funds to weather bureau to study relationship of climate to life, became. Division of agricultural soils, developed national cooperative soil survey. Became more detailed with time and with progressively smaller scales. Surveyors study soils on landscapes where they occur, delineate soil areas on map, describe characteristics. Soil maps and data available online for more than 95 percent of the nation"s counties. Released by county, often updated with more details and descriptive information. Detailed: sufficient field work done to observe all soil mapping units and boundaries.
