From Dirt to Digits Soil Surveys in the Digital Age

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From Dirt to Digits Soil Surveys in the Digital
Age

• Tim Prescott
• U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Natural Resources Conservation Service

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How do we go from Dirt to Digits?

• Laws are like sausages. Its better not to see
  them being made. Otto von Bismark
• Any sufficiently advanced technology is
  indistinguishable from magic. Arthur C. Clarke

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The Soil Survey Geographic DatabaseSSURGO

• Digitized version of the Soil Survey publications
  added value
• Compiled to orthographic base
• Photogrammetric distortions removed
• Scale of 112,000 or 124,000
• Standards in National Soil Survey Handbook
• Rigorous review and certification process

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http//datagateway.nrcs.usda.gov
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SSURGO is a valuable product

• About 11,522,700 acres digitized in West Virginia
• Estimated value 57,613,495

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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

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Top 3 geospatial goals for 2004-2005

• Transition to ArcGIS 9
• Finish SSURGO development by 2007
• Acquire more elevation data wherever possible

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Tim Prescotts 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.

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NRCS responsibilities for geospatial data

• Soils
• NAPP Digital Orthophotography (in partnership
  with USGS and FSA)
• Watershed boundaries
• National Resource Inventory (NRI)

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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

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Any Questions?