# Map Soils with a Survey Report

Part of the Soil and Water Conservation Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/soil-and-water-conservation/guide/index.md)

*7. Local Problem Solving*

> **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

1. Choose a mapped area that clearly shows at least three soil types.
2. Trace the boundary of the area you want to study.
3. Trace each soil unit inside that area.
4. Label each one with its **full name** and **map symbol**.
5. Be ready to explain what the survey says about each soil.

> **Be Prepared! Do Not Stop at the Map**
>
> The tracing is only part of the requirement. Your counselor also wants to know whether you can describe what the report contains and why those mapped soils matter.
>
> - Which soils drain quickly?
> - Which have erosion hazards?
> - Which might be good for crops, pasture, or woodland?
> - Which would be tricky for building or septic systems?

Req 7e takes the same observation mindset and turns it toward problems you can find close to home.

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- Previous: [Seed a Conservation Plot](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/soil-and-water-conservation/guide/req7c/index.md)
- Next: [Find and Fix Local Problems](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/soil-and-water-conservation/guide/req7e/index.md)