Use of Soil Survey for Assessing Agricultural Land

Soil Horizons ◽  
1975 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 24
Author(s):  
Lloyd E. Tyler
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Soil Survey

scholarly journals Developing a User Friendly Decision Tool for Agricultural Land Use Allocation at a Regional Scale

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumbangan Baja ◽  
Samsu Arif ◽  
Risma Neswati
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Land Use Planning ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Land Suitability ◽  
Soil Survey ◽  
Agricultural Land Use ◽  
Suitability Evaluation ◽  
Land Suitability Evaluation ◽  
Land Use Allocation ◽  
User Friendly

Agricultural land use planning should always be guided by a reliable tool to ensure effective decision making in the allocation of land use and activities. The primary aim of this study is to develop a user friendly system on a spatial basis for agricultural land suitability evaluation of four groups of agriculture commodities, including food crops, horticultural crops, perennial (plantation) crops, grazing, and tambak (fish ponds) to guide land use planning. The procedure used is as follows: (i) conducting soil survey based on generated land mapping units; (ii) developing soil database in GIS; and (iii) designing a user friendly system. The data bases of the study were derived from satellite imagery, digital topographic map, soil characteristics at reconnaissance scale, as well as climate data. Land suitability evaluation in this study uses the FAO method. The study produces a spatial based decision support tool called SUFIG-Wilkom that can give decision makers sets of information interactively for land use allocation purposes.This user friendly system is also amenable to various operations in a vector GIS, so that the system may accommodate possible additional assessment of other land use types.

The importance of pedological soil survey in land use planning, resource assessment and site investigation

1987 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 453-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. M. Lee ◽  
J. S. Griffiths
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Urban Development ◽  
Land Use Planning ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Soil Survey ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Structural Development ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Land Uses ◽  
Site Investigations

AbstractThe ever increasing pressure for infra-structural development in the UK heightens the conflict between the different land use demands placed on an area. This is reflected in the need for planning authorities to assess the relative suitability of potential land uses. Such assessments are important in guiding urban development away from good quality agricultural land. It is manifest that such planning decisions should be made on the basis of a comprehensive review of all relevant factors, and in particular, this includes the pedological soil conditions with their controlling influence on the ability of the land to support different land uses.Past pedological studies have tended to concentrate on the evaluation of land suitability for agricultural uses. However, such studies are also of value when assessing the suitability of other potential uses including, forestry, recreational uses, natural resources or general infrastructure development.In site investigations for infrastructure or resource development pedological studies have a role to play both at the feasibility and detailed investigation stages. During a feasibility study, particularly when used in conjunction with a programme of geotechnical mapping, a pedological approach to the examination of point samples can be an important aid in the determination of the areal extent of engineering soil units. In detailed investigations pedological assessments during pitting operations can determine such items as the depth of topsoil to be removed and stored during stripping, if a profile has developed through in-situ weathering of bedrock or a derived superifical cover and will assist in the identification of poor drainage areasIn this paper examples are presented of soil surveys used to assess the suitability of areas for recreational use, urban development and forestry. Also, by comparing the approaches to soil description contained within BS 5930, Code of Practice for Site Investigations (British Standards Institution 1981), and the Soil Survey Field Handbook (Hodgson 1974), some recommendations are made for adopting pedological description techniques in geotechnical site investigations.

Extracting topographic characteristics of landforms typical of Canadian agricultural landscapes for agri-environmental modeling. I. Methodology

2011 ◽  
Vol 91 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheng Li ◽  
David Lobb ◽  
Brian McConkey ◽  
R. A. MacMillan ◽  
Alan Moulin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Quantitative Measure ◽  
Companion Paper ◽  
Environmental Modeling ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Soil Survey ◽  
Field Soil ◽  
Environmental Models ◽  
Topographic Information ◽  
Topographic Characteristics

Li, S., Lobb, D. A., McConkey, B. G., MacMillan, R. A., Moulin, A. and Fraser, W. R. 2011. Extracting topographic characteristics of landforms typical of Canadian agricultural landscapes for agri-environmental modeling. I. Methodology. Can. J. Soil Sci. 91: 251–266. Soil and topographic information are key inputs for many agri-environmental models and there are linkages between soil and topography at the field scale. A major source of soil data is soil databases established based on field soil survey. Although both soil and topographic information are recorded in field soil surveys, the nominal nature of the topographic data has limited their use in agri-environmental models. In this study, we developed a methodology to extract various topographic derivatives and to classify the landscape into landform elements with distinctive topographic characteristics based on detailed analyses of fine resolution digital elevation models. Data obtained from these analyses were used to calculate a representative two-dimensional hillslope of five segments, each with a defined length and slope gradient. A set of modal hillslopes was developed to describe topographic variability. Additional topographic parameters, ratios and indices were calculated to reflect different aspects of topographic characteristics and also to build connections between different agri-environmental models. In particular, a topographic complexity index was developed as a quantitative measure of the degrees of divergence and convergence. This paper describes the methodology using one site as an example. Application of this methodology to other landforms in agricultural land of Canada is reported in a companion paper.

scholarly journals Conversion of agricultural soils in Austria—a case study for a community in Upper Austria

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-76
Author(s):  
Günther Aust ◽  
Franz Heinrich ◽  
Daniel Horvath ◽  
André Musil ◽  
Cecilie Foldal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Agricultural Soils ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Soil Survey ◽  
Settlement Area ◽  
Soil Sealing ◽  
Upper Austria

SummaryWe have analyzed the loss of agricultural land in a case study of the community Eggelsberg in the Innviertel in Upper Austria. The trigger for the project was the attribution of Austria as Europe’s leader in soil sealing. We compared the results of the Austrian agricultural soil survey of the 1970s with the actual land use and quantified the land use change. Within half a century, 15% of the agricultural area was converted to settlement area or to other forms of infrastructure. According to the original soil assessment, 96 ha of high-quality cropland, 1,220 ha of medium-quality cropland, 121 ha of low-quality cropland, and 409 ha of grassland were converted. The forest cover remained stable. The highest share of soil sealing was owed to the expansion of the settlement area and the construction of a successful enterprise. Minor contributions were expansions of farm buildings. The loss of agricultural land was reasonable and reflected the needs of the local population. A special protection status because of the future relevance of the agricultural land was not communicated to land managers and is not reflected in the market prices of agricultural products. The relevance of the agricultural land beyond the regional level is not fully recognized.

scholarly journals Potential Suitability of Subirrigation for Field Crops in the U.S. Midwest

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 1559-1570
Author(s):  
Feng Yu ◽  
Jane Frankenberger ◽  
Jason Ackerson ◽  
Benjamin Reinhart
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
High Potential ◽  
Soil Survey ◽  
Rating System ◽  
Data Repository ◽  
List Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Physiographic Regions ◽  
The U.S

HighlightsA fuzzy rating system was created based on published criteria for subirrigation suitability.Maps showing potential suitability for subirrigation were created for the U.S. Midwest.78,500 km2 across the U.S. Midwest is potentially suitability for subirrigation.Maps identify potential subirrigation locations pending onsite assessment.Abstract. Subirrigation through subsurface tile drains has potential to increase crop yields and improve water quality in tile-drained landscapes, but it has not been widely implemented. Identifying locations with high potential suitability for subirrigation may help the planning and implementation of this practice. In this study, we developed a fuzzy rating system for subirrigation suitability using the Gridded Soil Survey Geographic Database (gSSURGO). Maps of the fuzzy rating system identified locations of high potential suitability for subirrigation and highlighted physiographic regions highly conducive to the practice. We identified 78,500 km2, about 9%, of agricultural land in the Midwest with high potential suitability for subirrigation where onsite investigation may be targeted. The largest areas of high potential suitability were found in Minnesota, Illinois, and Indiana. Results from the fuzzy rating analysis are provided to the public through three channels: a downloadable data repository, map service, and web map tool. Ultimately, this study can facilitate the adoption of subirrigation by highlighting areas where subirrigation may potentially be a viable practice. Keywords: Controlled drainage, Fuzzy rating, Geographic information system (GIS), Gridded Soil Survey Geographic Database (gSSURGO), Midwestern U.S., Subirrigation.

A STUDY OF RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SOIL SURVEY DATA AND AGRICULTURAL LAND USE USING INFORMATION THEORY

1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. DUMANSKI ◽  
M. PHIPPS ◽  
E. HUFFMAN
Keyword(s):  
Information Theory ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Spatial Interaction ◽  
Soil Survey ◽  
Agricultural Land Use ◽  
Land Use Intensity ◽  
Land Uses ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Survey Statistics

The significant advances which have been made on inventories of agricultural land use and in updating soil survey information provide an opportunity to compare these new sources of information to identify which of the various land factors shown on soil survey maps correlate most closely with agricultural land use. Three study areas representing three levels of land use intensity were used. Statistics of information theory were evaluated for application in studies of this type. Results demonstrate that a statistically significant correlation (adjustment) between physical land conditions and land use has occurred in all three areas. However, the degree of correlation varied according to the land use and the types of land factors considered. Increased correlation was achieved when land uses were weighted by economic investment. The factor called "soil association" was identified as correlating best with land use, but factors such as surface texture, capability class, slope and "spatial interaction" were also significant. Key words: Land use, soil survey, statistics, information theory, capability, economic investment

scholarly journals Effects of agriculture on the classification of Black soils in the Midwestern United States

2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (3) ◽  
pp. 403-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica J. Veenstra ◽  
C. Lee Burras
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Soil Classification ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Soil Survey ◽  
Soil Taxonomy ◽  
Midwestern United States ◽  
Reference Base

Veenstra, J. J. and Burras, C. L. 2012. Effects of agriculture on the classification of Black soils in the Midwestern United States. Can. J. Soil Sci. 92: 403–411. Soil surveys are generally treated as static documents. Many soil survey users assume that pedon data generated 30 to 50 yr ago still represents today's soil, as short-term changes in soil properties are perceived to be limited to the soil surface and thus pedologically insignificant. In this study, we re-sampled and re-analyzed 82 pedons with historical descriptions and laboratory data in Iowa, United States, to evaluate changes in soil profile properties and taxonomic classification after approximately 50 yr of agricultural land use. Using historical and current data, we classified sampled pedons using Canadian Soil Taxonomy, US Soil Taxonomy and the Food and Agriculture Association World Reference Base (FAO-WRB). Our results show that soil characteristics have changed significantly enough to change the classification. In each taxonomic system, the classification of 60% or more of the sampled pedons differed from the original. Classification of 15 to 32% of the sampled pedons changed at the Order (or equivalent) level with 11 to 33% of the pedons originally classified as Black soils – Mollisols, Chernozems or Phaeozems – no longer classified as Black soils. The change in soil classification over such a short-time period challenges the validity and usefulness of treating existing soil maps as static documents as well as traditional soil classification hierarchies.

The use of land capability and land suitability classifications for planning purposes in Scotland

1987 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 203-209
Author(s):  
J. S. Bibby
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Land Suitability ◽  
Soil Survey ◽  
Site Factors ◽  
Department Of Agriculture ◽  
Agricultural Potential ◽  
Suitability Maps ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland (DAFS) have a responsibility to comment on all proposed changes of use in agricultural land in Scotland, whether this be to urban and industrial use or to forestry. The Macaulay Institute for Soil Research, through its Department of Soil Survey, has mapped the soils of Scotland, demonstrating in the process very clear links between the underlying solid and drift geology, and soil development and land use. Two series of interpretative maps have been produced, one at 1:250 000 of the entire country and one at 1:50 000 of the arable lands. These incorporate both climatic and site factors with soil type to provide a classification of agricultural potential. This work will be implemented in Scotland by DAFS as part of their planning-related functions in 1987. This paper describes the links between geology and soil maps, and the approaches taken in both land classification compilation and application. In conclusion, the basis for land suitability maps for specific purposes, now being actively developed to provide further guidance for assessing the impact of land use change in Scotland, is described.

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