Req 7d — Map Soils with a Survey Report
7d.
Study a soil survey report. Describe the things in it. Using tracing paper and a pen, trace over any of the soil maps, and outline an area with three or more different kinds of soil. List each kind of soil by full name and map symbol.
A soil survey report is like a field guide for land. It tells you what soil types occur in an area and what those soils mean for farming, building, drainage, vegetation, and conservation.
Many soil surveys include:
- a map showing soil units
- map symbols tied to named soil types
- descriptions of slope, drainage, texture, and depth
- notes about limitations and best uses
- information about erosion hazard, flooding, and permeability
🎬 Video: Web Soil Survey Tutorial (video) — https://youtu.be/lKFc_96UZ7Q
How to do the tracing part well
- Choose a mapped area that clearly shows at least three soil types.
- Trace the boundary of the area you want to study.
- Trace each soil unit inside that area.
- Label each one with its full name and map symbol.
- Be ready to explain what the survey says about each soil.
Req 7e takes the same observation mindset and turns it toward problems you can find close to home.