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Soils Applications by Capability Diagram

Soil Survey Database Focus Team

Charges, activities, and contact information for the Soil Survey Database Focus Team.

Soils Applications by Capability Diagram

Overview

This team consists of field level staff with a wide range of database skills and perspectives that will assist with decision-making and create outcomes that better serve the database needs of the SPSD. The team has a balanced approach of improving the existing infrastructure coupled with developing new innovative approaches. While the National Soils Information System database (NASIS) will be a major focus of the team, we will also be discussing the full suite of interconnected SPSD corporate databases and associated software.

Charges

  • Coordinate and support database activities across the SPSD
  • Identify database-related training needs
  • Identify new database-related software, tools, and procedures
  • Review and organize new database tools and ideas
  • Serve as a clearinghouse for proposed NASIS and SSURGO data model changes

Links

Soils Applications by Capability Diagram (1.42 MB)

Soils Tools

Meetings

The Database Focus Team meets for 1 hour via skype and teleconference on the last Tuesday of every month. The Meeting Minutes and Action Items documents contain all minutes and action items since the Database Focus Team began meeting monthly in April 2017.

Meeting Minutes (96.29 KB)
Current Action Items (10/5/23) (18.22 KB)

Previous Meeting Minutes (links to Box)

Accomplishments

FY2023

  • Integrating data into SPSD systems, including DSP4SH cooperator data, Forest Service pedon data, and scanned historical data.
  • Released a minimum standard horizon data validation and a report to run all data integrity reports at once.
  • Released improved Survey123 forms for pedon descriptions, land use and management, and Technical Soil Services.
  • Migrating the Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool (EDIT) database into SPSD and update to support new ecological standards.
  • Submitted NASIS data model updates to implement Official Series Descriptions in NASIS and to store new Dynamic Soil Property data.
  • Delivered virtual and in-person NASIS Basic training sessions.
  • Completed internal alpha testing of SSURGO Portal, a replacement for the SSURGO access template databases.

Previous Fiscal Years (links to Box)

Sub-Teams

Previous Sub-Teams (links to Box)

Contact

John Hammerly

Soil Data Quality Specialist, Waverly, Iowa

Presentations

Presentations (links to Box)