I have never used a database like the Web Soil Survey before, so it was really interesting to learn about this tool. Where it covers only the US and my project interest area is Bermuda, I decided to choose and area near where I am from in New Hampshire to focus on. A screenshot of a portion of the map area is below.
Source: USDA. (n.d.). Map screenshot. https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/WebSoilSurvey.aspx
The first thing that caught my attention was the specific types of soils. I have heard of types such as loam and sand, but had not realized there were varieties within those categories. The largest segment in my selected area was 140C, which contained 933.5 acres in AOI and is classified as Chatfield-Hollis-Canton complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, rocky (USDA, n.d.). By clicking on the map unit name, I was able to learn that this area is made up of soil with a lot of rocks and boulders in it (USDA, n.d.). With New Hampshire being the granite state, this made sense to me. I was curious with such large, rocky areas what this meant for crops and drainage. My AOI showed only one area with the ability to yield corn, listing the area as being able to yield 130 yields per acre under the right conditions (USDA, n.d.). Given the rocky soil in most areas of the AOI, it made sense there weren't many places that could yield crops. In looking at drainage, I came across the Ecological Classification Name section. In this section I learned that many areas in my AOI are well drained or wet, with a few exceptions (USDA, n.d.).
Overall, I found the site easy to navigate and full of great information about soils in the US. I think this would be a useful source for anyone looking to plan anything where the ground may impact them, such as building or farming. It is interesting to think overall about the way soil ties in to the ecosystem, as it impacts which plants can thrive in the area which then impacts the animal species that can live there.
If you are interested in learning how to use the Web Soil Survey, please check out the following source: Agricultural Nutrient Management Program. 2016. Using the Web Soil Survey. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vszIhcghykk&t=109s
The Web Soil Survey can be found here: USDA. 2019. Web Soil Survey. https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/HomePage.htm
USDA. (n.d.). Map screenshot. https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/WebSoilSurvey.aspx
Blog photo source:
Dylan de Jonge. 2017. Free use under Unsplash License. https://unsplash.com/photos/brown-pathway-between-green-leaf-plants-9SjCXUq_qSE
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