Coupling use-dependent and use-invariant data for soil quality evaluation in the United States

• Published in: Journal of soil and water conservation Vol. 56; no. 1; pp. 63 - 68
• Main Authors: Grossman, R. B., Harms, D. S., Seybold, C. A., Herrick, J. E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ankeny, IA Soil and Water Conservation Society 01.01.2001; Soil & Water Conservation Society
• Subjects: Agricultural industry; Agriculture; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Composition; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Environmental aspects; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; land use; Quality; soil chemistry; Soil conservation; soil physical properties; Soil productivity; Soil quality; Soil science; Soil surveys; Soil surveys, classification and mapping; Soil surveys, classification and mapping, soil genesis; Soils; Surficial geology; Testing; United States; United States; North America; America; Soils; Cartography; Pedology; Cultivated soil; Classification; Database; Property of soil; Soil quality; Land use
• ISSN: 0022-4561; 1941-3300
• DOI: 10.1080/00224561.2001.12457358

The estimated properties for soil survey map units typically are only for major soil use. Users are provided only one set of soil properties. We consider the combination of use-invariant and use-dependent databases to produce composite recorh. The use-invariant data is determined by soil origin and genesis and is at most only slightly subject to change with use. The use-dependent data is readily subject to change by use. Near-surface properties are particularly subject to change with use. Each use-invariant property is assigned a surficial exclusion zone within which the property is considered use-dependent and hence the standard interpretive record is not applicable. Both use-dependent and use-invariant properties are placed in one of five classes. Numerical rankings for quality evaluation are obtained by combining the placements for the several properties concerned.