Delivering solutions to questions regarding soil change— examples from USDA and the National Cooperative Soil Survey

Abstract

The US National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS) has been investigating Soil Change within the Interpretations Conference Committees and within the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Soil Science Division since the early 1990’s. Historically, the National Cooperative Soil Survey worked on building a national map that would deliver information on land use and soil management. Soil Mapping, Soil Classification and Soil Taxonomy focused on the static qualities of the soil profile, attempting to make estimates and predictions of soil groupings based on soil characteristics that were stable beyond a 5 to 20 year cycle of use and management and potential anthropogenic change. The National cooperative Soil Survey continues to seek new ways to interpret soils and to make that information more easily accessible. Practice-specific soil interpretations are being explored to support NRCS conservation planning and practice implementation. Other areas of focus include the development of real-time interpretation systems that allow incorporation of site- specific information and interpretation systems that will allow users to incorporate other spatially-referenced data sets including climate and land use to develop accurate and site- specific interpretive information products.