Soils - Minnesota

Helping People Understand Soils

Soil is a vital part of the natural environment. It influences the distribution of plant species and provides a habitat for a wide range of organisms. It controls the flow of water and chemical substances between the atmosphere and the earth, and acts as both a source and store for gases in the atmosphere. Soil, together with the plant and animal life it supports, forms an amazing, intricate natural system. 

Soil health is the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital, living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans.  Furthering soil health is a core concept to NRCS in addressing natural resource concerns.  Minnesota has inherently deep soils rich in organic matter, formed over thousands of years under vast expanses of prairie, forests and wetlands.  These diverse native ecosystems include intricate networks of microscopic life resulting in some of the most productive soils on Earth.  Soil is a living and life-giving resource, prone to degradation, but with potential for regeneration and resilience with proper attention to ecological principles. Minnesota NRCS developed and regularly maintains a Soil Health Strategic Plan.  This plan helps focus agency efforts on increasing successful adoption of soil health management systems. Check out Minnesota NRCS Soil Health Videos for highlights of the success across the state.

NRCS delivers science-based soil information for various applications. NRCS soil maps and data are available products are online across most of the country. NRCS also published several authoritative technical resources, while supporting customers with a variety of technical services. Minnesota NRCS provides technical assistance helping people understand soils including soil health while regularly maintaining authoritative technical resources.

Soil Data Resources: 

Web Soil Survey - Authoritative source for soil survey information. Soil suitability, limitations, properties, interpretations, and reports. Can download SSURGO (detailed soil survey information), and STATSGO2 (general soil maps), and create customized products.

Field Office Technical Guide - Technical guides used in each field office are localized so that they apply specifically to the geographic area for which they are prepared. Section 2 contains specific soil reports tailored to conservation planning.

Geospatial Data Gateway - One stop shop for natural resources spatial data. Direct Data Download affords user access to gridded soil data, including Gridded SSURGO, Raster Soil Surveys, and Gridded NATSGO (best available soil data). Minnesota has the most acreage of high-resolution raster soil survey data in the US.

Soil Data Access - Web service to request custom spatial and tabular data using a variety of spatial and tabular filters including a SQL query or shape command capable of referencing spatial entities represented in the underlying tabular data.

Historical Soil Survey Manuscripts - Archived (not current) soil survey manuscripts published throughout the United States and its territories by NRCS along with other state agencies and agricultural extensions.

SoilWeb Apps - Suite of interactive soil survey tools to convey an array of in-depth information in an easy to use interface. This project is curated by University of California-Davis in cooperation with NRCS. Also includes the populate mobile version SoilWeb available on app stores. Individual applications within include:

• The SoilWeb mapping interface with links to information about soils and Web Soil Survey
• The Soil Series Extent Explorer which maps the extent of a soil series with hyperlinks to the Soil Data Explorer which also includes block diagrams of soil catenas.
• The Soil Properties mapping interface to illustrate general national scale property maps in chemical, and physical properties, features and awesome maps of soil color.

SSURGO Portal - License-free and open-source application to import spatial and tabular soil data to develop custom GIS data and reports for areas of any size.

National Soil Characterization Laboratory Database - Centralized repository for an impressive array of soil laboratory data and associated soil profile descriptions collected for the purpose of characterization in development and maintenance of soil survey information.

Soil Technical References: 

Soil Health Assessments – Technical resources to conduct assessments of soil function and evaluate soil health, including the popular Cropland in-Field Soil Health Assessment, and Soil Quality Indicators.

Conservation Evaluation and Monitoring Activities – Several soil and soil health testing activities are offered through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for participants and planners to assess conditions on the area where conservation practices are planned.
Field Indicators of Hydric Soils - A detailed guide to identify, delineate, and verify hydric soils in the field.

Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils - Summary of key descriptors, conventions, and concepts from soil science and geomorphology to facilitate field observations and soil field documentation.

US Soil Taxonomy - NRCS site for soil taxonomy and for maintaining the soil series classification data. All soil surveys within the National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS) must use Soil Taxonomy. US Soil Taxonomy is one of only 2 systems of soil classification commonly used worldwide.

Illustrated Guide to Soil Taxonomy - A simplified reference to communicate concepts in soil taxonomy as compiled by university professors.

Geomorphic Description System - Technical guide for applying and understanding geomorphic and geologic concepts in soil inventory.

Soil Survey Manual - Detailed technical information on soil surveying procedures.

National Soil Survey Handbook - Detailed technical reference providing definitions, responsibilities, guidelines, and procedures for conducting soil surveys.

NRCS is the lead agency in the National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS), the125-year-old national partnership of federal, regional, state, local agencies and institutions dedicated to delivering scientifically based soil information. Partners including the University of Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, and local Conservation Districts were essential to developing soil survey products across Minnesota that can continue to inform land-use and management decisions. 
 

Cooperator Resources:

University of Minnesota Department of Soil, Water & Climate – University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource department renowned for research, outreach, and education in soil science, and is an active contributor to the National Cooperative Soil Survey. The department is also home to an active Soil Judging Team.

Minnesota Board of Water & Soil Resources – Minnesota’s state soil and water conservation agency offers extensive programming in soil and soil health, and technical training in conjunction with NRCS and local government units.

Minnesota Office of Soil Health – University of Minnesota entity dedicated to the protection and improvement of soil resources and water quality by developing the knowledge, skills and abilities of local experts to more effectively promote sustainable soil and land management.

Minnesota Soil Health Coalition – Farmer focused and farmer led organization promoting the principles of soil health through outreach, networking, and technical support.

Minnesota Association of Professional Soil Scientists - Organization of professional soil scientists promoting the interests and professional licensure. Members include professional soil scientists, consultants, researchers, teachers and students, as well as those who just have an interest in soil.

Minnesota Geological Survey – State cooperative geologic mapping program that has resources that compliment soil survey data, including Minnesota Surficial Geology Map of Minnesota & County Geologic Atlas Program.

Soil Science Society of America - Leading scientific and professional organization dedicated to advancing the field of soil science. Also maintain the Glossary of Soil Science Terms.

Integrating Spatial Educational Experiences Network SoilExplorer - Popular tool for teaching and communicating soil properties, features and landscapes through thematic maps viewable at several scales. This project is curated by Purdue University in cooperation with Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Services, along with NRCS. Also includes the mobile version SoilExplorer available on app stores.