From Dirt to Digits

Soil Surveys in the Digital Age

Tim PrescottU.S. Department of AgricultureNatural Resources Conservation Service

How do we go from Dirt to Digits?

“Laws are like sausages. It’s better not to see them being made.” Otto von Bismark

“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” Arthur C. Clarke

The Soil Survey Geographic DatabaseSSURGO

Digitized version of the Soil Survey publications + added value

Compiled to orthographic base Photogrammetric distortions removed Scale of 1:12,000 or 1:24,000 Standards in National Soil Survey Handbook Rigorous review and certification process

http://datagateway.nrcs.usda.gov

SSURGO is a valuable product

About 11,522,700 acres digitized in West Virginia

Estimated value: $57,613,495

Top 3 geospatial accomplishments of 2003-2004

Provided $375,000 in funding to WV-SAMB for digital orthophotography acquisition

Funded $12,500 cooperative agreement with USGS for 10 meter DEM development

Provided comprehensive DOQQ imagery coverage to WV-GISTC for unrestricted download

Top 3 geospatial goals for 2004-2005

Transition to ArcGIS 9

Finish SSURGO development by 2007

Acquire more elevation data wherever possible

Tim Prescott’s NRCS GIS Mission Statement

To develop, acquire and disseminate digital data and technologies that will enhance the processes of sound resource management, policy and planning.

NRCS responsibilities for geospatial data: Soils NAPP Digital Orthophotography (in partnership

with USGS and FSA) Watershed boundaries National Resource Inventory (NRI)

How can the geospatial community help? Cooperative agreements Contact legislators and other agencies about the

importance of soils data, DOQQs, etc. Share your data Help us research and develop new tools and data

Any Questions?