Reconnaissance Soil Survey Research Articles

Comparison of small scale soil maps prepared by conventional methods and air photo-interpretation procedure

A small scale soil map for a part of Barnagar Tehsil prepared by the adoption of a systematic air photo-interpretation procedure has been compared with the soil map for the same area resulting from a previous reconnaissance soil survey using toposheets as base maps. Tt has been shown that the soil boundaries of the photo-interpretation map are both more accurate and natural in shape; delineation of gullied lands has been achieved more accurately by the A.P.I. procedure; soil erosion could be mapped more consistently and accurately through photo-interpretation. Additionally. the photo-internretation procedure achieves accurate delineation of distinctive facets of land forms because of the advantages arising from the viewing of a stereo model of the landscape; this paves the way for easier and better soil mapping in view of the correlation between landscape elements and soil patterns. Apart from the increased accuracy and diminished costs the photo-interpretation procedure will be helpful in modernising previously prepared reconnaissance soil maps.

Radar Theory Applied to Reconnaissance Soil Surveys

AbstractThis paper describes the use of radar imagery as a base for reconnaissance soil surveys. Attention is focused on the interpretation of tone patterns as resultants of microwave interactions with terrain. The tone appearance of soils and associated landscape features is governed in large part by surface roughness, moisture content, system resolution and viewing angle. These factors are reviewed in both theoretical and applied terms. For cartographic purposes the resolution of existing imaging radar systems appears adequate for reconnaissance surveys. For interpreting soil attributes, however, both resolution and viewing angle are important considerations. Images from arid and humid environments are interpreted as examples of the application of radar theory to reconnaissance mapping. As with photo interpretation, most soil information is obtained by using a combination of radar reflectance theory and landscape inference. Once the theory is understood, however, radar imagery can offer advantages over black and white photography in terms of timeliness and scale of coverage.

Plant-Ecological Significance of the Soils of the Central Orange River Basin

Abstract Field observations made during a reconnaissance soil survey of the Central Orange River Basin for the Orange River Development Project, showed significant relationships between soil landscapes and associated vegetation. Although no intentional ecological studies were made it was clear that certain soil types (soil forms and/or series) are always associated with particular plant communities. In view of this general consistent soil-plant relationship observed in the survey area, it is reasoned that apart from climatic and topographic factors, the soil should in future be taken into consideration in defining and mapping of veld types.

Shawinigan nickel-copper property — A case history of a reconnaissance geochemical discovery in the Grenville Province of Quebec, Canada

Abstract Study of an area in the southern Grenville of Quebec, by a stream sediment reconnaissance survey, outlined a previously unknown nickel-copper occurrence. Both reconnaissance and detail soil surveys were employed to define the sources of the stream sediment anomalies. A rock geochemical survey was carried out along with the detail soil survey. Some of the soil and rock geochemical anomalies were drilled and in all cases low-grade nickel-copper mineralization was encountered.

Studies of some soils in the NW Himalayas and the highlands of India

A reconnaissance soil survey of the NW Himalayan mountains and highlands in the Lahul valley (Himachal Pradesh) was undertaken and five soil profiles from different regions and supporting different vegetation, representing both virgin and cultivated lands, were studied, described and classified in two major soil series, viz. Krozing and Shainsha. The clay fraction of these soils consists of illite and chlorite with minor amounts of kaolinite and traces of swelling chlorite and/or montmorillonite. The removal of amorphous material by a dithionite citrate buffer has been found to be imperative. According to the current definitions, these frigid like high mountain soils having an epipedon on limit with mollic qualify for Dystric Eutrochrepts, which does not depict the reality. Therefore, they have been logically classified, by defining new subgroups of Cryic, Mollic and Cryollic within Eutrochrepts, as Dystric Cryic Eutrochrepts (Shainsha series) and Dystric Cryollic Eutrochrepts (Krozing series). The proposed classification is supported by their geographic situation between Eutrochrepts and/or Hapludolls (in lower valleys) and Cryochrepts and/or Haploborolls (on higher hills).

USE OF LAND CLASSIFICATION CONCEPTS AS A BASIS FOR A RECONNAISSANCE SOIL SURVEY IN NORTHEASTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA

Subdivisions of the physical landscape usually form a basis for soil survey. Landform classifications derived from geomorphology are not always applicable because of their emphasis on the origin of the landscape. A reconnaissance soil survey in the Fort Nelson area of northeastern British Columbia is used to demonstrate that concepts derived from land classification can be more useful, because inherent characteristics of the landscape rather than its mode of origin are used as defining criteria.

SOIL AND IRRIGATION CLASSIFICATION OF SHALLOW SOILS OVERLYING GYPSUM BEDS, NORTHERN IRAQ

SummaryRecent reconnaissance soil surveys of proposed irrigation projects have revealed a belt of shallow soils overlying gypsum beds in the drier steppe zone of Northern Iraq.The soil profile consists of two sharply contrasting layers—upper layer of Mesopotamian Alluvium and a lower layer of highly gypseous material. The Mesopotamian Alluvium is a brown fine‐textured material, highly calcareous but very low in soluble salts, exchangeable sodium, and gypsum. The gypseous beds underlying this shallow soil mantle are relatively soft tertiary sediments (Fars beds) or their erosion products.Despite abundant evidence of the non‐toxicity of gypsum even in saturated solutions, observations on naturally occurring gypseous soil in steppe areas of Iraq and the U.S.S.R. show that root growth is inhibited where the gypsum content is 10 to 25 per cent, or higher, apparently because of poor transmission of air and water associated with bad structure.Agronomic and engineering problems were considered, together with U.S. data on rooting systems of climatically adapted irrigated crops, in arriving at a classification.

Soil Survey—the Basis for improved Farming

Summary Exploratory and reconnaissance soil surveys are of maximum value in undeveloped terrain or rangeland. The resulting regional appraisal of land capability can be used to select areas for closer study. Detailed soil surveys are carried out to help individual users of agricultural land to plan their farming operations so that yields and profits are the highest obtainable without incurring soil erosion or deterioration. In Swaziland, soil series mapped at scales between I : 50,000 and I: 3,600 are given crop ratings in respect of important local cropping systems. As topography is the chief variable factor within series, land capability classes are arrived at by combining cartographically the crop ratings with slope categories. Farmers, rural extension staff, agricultural research workers and land use planners are all served directly by this kind of soil survey.

A reconnaissance soil survey of County Fermanagh

A reconnaissance soil survey of County Fermanagh

SOME MOVING SOILS IN SPITSBERGEN

SummaryA reconnaissance soil survey of an area of 160 sq. km. (60 sq. miles) was made in central Vestspitsbergen and the distribution of soils interpreted as a catena in which denudation has a more prominent role than in temperate regions; the more important soil characters were related to slope. The paper includes some observations on solifluction, polygonal soils, and perennially frozen ground. Finally the soils described are tentatively named according to the classifications of Kellogg & Nygard, and Kubiena.

Reconnaissance Soil Survey of Japan, Northern Honshu Area

Reconnaissance Soil Survey of Japan, Northern Honshu Area

Reconnaissance Soil Survey of Japan, Kyota Area

Reconnaissance Soil Survey of Japan, Kyota Area

Reconnaissance Soil Survey of Japan, Kyushu Area

Reconnaissance Soil Survey of Japan, Kyushu Area

Reconnaissance Soil Survey of Japan, Kanto Plain Area

Reconnaissance Soil Survey of Japan, Kanto Plain Area

Distribution of the Total and Acetic Acid-Soluble Phosphate in Soil Profiles having Naturally Free and Impeded Drainage

IN a reconnaissance soil survey of Aberdeenshire, a large and representative collection of soil profiles from a variety of geological parent material types has been made. Pairs of profiles differing in their degree of natural drainage—freely drained, and poorly drained (gleyed) soils—have been taken from a large number of arable fields over a variety of geological areas. Each particular pair of profiles presumably has had the same manurial treatment.

Reconnaissance Soil Survey of Japan

Soil Science Society of America JournalVolume 11, Issue C p. 493-507 Miscellaneous Paper Reconnaissance Soil Survey of Japan† C. L. W. Swanson, C. L. W. Swanson Formerly Major, Air Corps, and Head of the Soils and Fertilizer Branch, Agriculture Division, Natural Resources Section, General Headquarters, Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, Tokyo, Japan; now Chief Agronomist, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. Grateful acknowledgement is made to James Thorp, M. E. Austin, and R. E. O'Brien for field surveys and reports made on various areas of Japan. T. M. Bushnell, E. P. Whiteside, and M. E. Springer are continuing the field work under the direction of W. S. Ligon. The writer wishes to express his appreciation to W. H. Leonard, formerly Major, United States Army, and Chief of the Agriculture Division; now Professor of Agronomy, Colorado State College, for his helpful suggestions and cooperation given during the course of the survey.Search for more papers by this author C. L. W. Swanson, C. L. W. Swanson Formerly Major, Air Corps, and Head of the Soils and Fertilizer Branch, Agriculture Division, Natural Resources Section, General Headquarters, Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, Tokyo, Japan; now Chief Agronomist, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. Grateful acknowledgement is made to James Thorp, M. E. Austin, and R. E. O'Brien for field surveys and reports made on various areas of Japan. T. M. Bushnell, E. P. Whiteside, and M. E. Springer are continuing the field work under the direction of W. S. Ligon. The writer wishes to express his appreciation to W. H. Leonard, formerly Major, United States Army, and Chief of the Agriculture Division; now Professor of Agronomy, Colorado State College, for his helpful suggestions and cooperation given during the course of the survey.Search for more papers by this author First published: 01 January 1947 https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1947.036159950011000C0092xCitations: 2 ‡ Contribution from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Conn. AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume11, IssueC1947Pages 493-507 RelatedInformation

Mr. Theodore C. Rigg

MR. THEODORE C. RIGG has been appointed director of the Cawthron Institute, Nelson, New Zealand, on the retirement of Prof. T. H. Easterfield. Mr. Rigg was an 1851 Exhibition scholar in 1912 and carried out post-graduate research at the School of Agriculture, Cambridge, until 1914, returning after the War to study at Rothamsted. He was appointed agricultural chemist at the Cawthron Institute in 1919, and has since held positions as head of the Agricultural Department and as assistant director. He has been in charge of the Mineral Content of Pastures Investigation of the Nelson Territory since 1928, and has directed the Reconnaissance Soil Survey of the North Island. His work on animal nutrition, and particularly on the cause and prevention of bush sickness, is well known.

The Soil Survey of Wisconsin 1

FOLLOWING the lead set by the American Bureau of Soils, the State of Wisconsin has arranged for a soil survey, and is publishing the results in a series of attractive booklets, well provided with maps, diagrams, and illustrations. First of all, there was issued in 1911 the so-called “Reconnaissance Soil Survey of Part of North-West Wisconsin,” in which a general account was given of the geology, climate, soil, and agriculture of the area. This has now been followed by more detailed accounts of the various counties. It is proposed to complete the work by issuing a series of bulletins dealing with the management of the different types of soil, and on the I-in. maps issued with these reports the various soil types are so clearly defined that the farmer would have no difficulty in locating his land, and so discerning which particular bulletin would give him advice as to cropping and management.