What is a Soil Survey?
A soil survey is a resource inventory where field scientists collect, organize, and interpret information about the natural resources in an area. Although the main focus is on soils, data is also collected on vegetation, landforms, and surface hydrology. Soil surveys help landowners and communities select the best sites for homes, schools, airfields, roads, landfills, and agriculture. They provide a scientific inventory of soil resources for making maps, identifying physical and chemical properties of soils, as well as supplying current information on potential uses and limitations of each soil.
Web Soil Survey: The first stop for soil survey information is Web Soil Survey. This site provides quick access to all available soil survey information in Alaska as well as the rest of the United States. The site allows online viewing of soil survey maps, data, and interpretations. Users can specify local areas of interest. The site also provides access to electronic copies of traditional soil survey publications and maps.
Status of Soil Surveys in Alaska
For complete electronic datasets on certified soil surveys in Alaska, visit Web Soil Survey.
The Alaska MLRA Soil Survey Office coordinates the collection of soils and related natural resource data for the state of Alaska. Alaska is part of the Pacific Northwest Soil Survey Region (SSR1). All work is done in partnership with federal, state and location agencies, as well as, private landowners and community groups. This partnership comprises the National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS).
The Alaska MLRA Soil Survey Office also coordinates the Alaska portion of the national Resource Inventory (NRI). This inventory is an on-going effort to monitor the changes and trends in natural resource use and condition over time.
Links
Contact
Cory Cole
State Soil Scientist
USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service
800 E Palmer-Wasilla Hwy, Suite 100
Palmer, AK, 99645
(907) 761-7759 Fax (907) 761-7790
E-mail: cory.cole@ak.usda.gov
Stay Connected - Sign up for notifications about Soil Survey from GovDelivery