Rangelands of the desert Southwest can be in a degraded condition and lacking perennial vegetation, which can lead to exposed soil and erosion.
Where can I obtain soil surveys?
A soil survey is the systematic description, classification, and mapping of soils in an area. They are published by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), formerly known as the Soil Conservation Service.
NRCS soil surveys are available from several sources:
- Some are on the NRCS website.
- Published soil surveys can be found at some libraries or borrowed through interlibrary loan.
- Surveys might be available from the state NRCS offices.
- Online GIS data of the Gridded Soil Survey Geographic Database is here.
- The USGS Libraries have a majority of the soil surveys in our collection, available to the public through interlibrary loan.
The USGS does have a low-density soil map for the conterminous U.S. (geochemical and mineralogical data) and a National Geochemical Database for soil that includes a small number of sites in Alaska and outside the U.S.
Related Content
Does the USGS have reports on the background levels of elements in soils and other surficial materials?
The following USGS products will be helpful in determining the background levels of various elements in soils and other surficial materials: Geochemical and Mineralogical Data for Soils of the Conterminous United States (2013) Data for samples collected at three intervals (0-5 cm surficial soils, A-Horizon soils, and C-Horizon soils) across the entire conterminous U.S. These data provide the best...
How are harmful elements and compounds in plants, soils, rocks, and sediments regulated?
Regulatory limits for safe levels of elements in water and foodstuffs are established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, there are generally no regulatory limits that scientists can refer to when dealing with plants, soils, rocks, and sediments. Therefore, to determine whether a plant, soil, rock, or sediment contains a 'high...
What are some benefits of volcanic eruptions?
Over geologic time, volcanic eruptions and related processes have directly and indirectly benefited mankind: Volcanic materials ultimately break down and weather to form some of the most fertile soils on Earth, cultivation of which has produced abundant food and fostered civilizations. The internal heat associated with young volcanic systems has been harnessed to produce geothermal energy . Most...
Dry, cracked soil (RAMPS)
Rangelands of the desert Southwest can be in a degraded condition and lacking perennial vegetation, which can lead to exposed soil and erosion.
Biocrust
On the Colorado Plateau, mature biocrusts are bumpy and dark-colored due to the presence of lichens, mosses, and high densities of cyanobacteria and other organisms. Disturbed biocrusts are lighter in color, looking more like the underlying sand than undisturbed ones, and are less capable of stabilizing soils or providing soil fertility.
On the Colorado Plateau, mature biocrusts are bumpy and dark-colored due to the presence of lichens, mosses, and high densities of cyanobacteria and other organisms. Disturbed biocrusts are lighter in color, looking more like the underlying sand than undisturbed ones, and are less capable of stabilizing soils or providing soil fertility.
Footprint damage to biocrusts
Many human activities can be unintentionally harmful to biological crusts. The biocrusts are no match for the compressional stress caused by footprints of livestock or people or tracks from vehicles.
Many human activities can be unintentionally harmful to biological crusts. The biocrusts are no match for the compressional stress caused by footprints of livestock or people or tracks from vehicles.
Biocrusts provide soil stability and prevent erosion
Biocrusts provide soil stability and prevent erosion. Soil is the foundation where plants live; if soil is not stable, native plants can have difficulty growing.
Biocrusts provide soil stability and prevent erosion. Soil is the foundation where plants live; if soil is not stable, native plants can have difficulty growing.
USGS scientist Sasha Reed studys outdoor biocrust testing sites
USGS scientist Sasha Reed studies sites where different climate conditions are being mimicked to determine effect on biocrusts.
USGS scientist Sasha Reed studies sites where different climate conditions are being mimicked to determine effect on biocrusts.
Taking soil samples
USGS researchers collecting a soil sample for rare earth elements at the Roy Creek prospect, Alaska. Jamey Jones is holding the bag while Erin Todd shovels soil into the bag.
USGS researchers collecting a soil sample for rare earth elements at the Roy Creek prospect, Alaska. Jamey Jones is holding the bag while Erin Todd shovels soil into the bag.
Soil in Test Tube
Amount of soil (about 200 mg) from which Geomyces destructans was cultured. This shows the small amount of soil needed to harbor live fungus and the threat that humans might pose in moving it around from cave to cave on their gear, boots, and clothing.
Amount of soil (about 200 mg) from which Geomyces destructans was cultured. This shows the small amount of soil needed to harbor live fungus and the threat that humans might pose in moving it around from cave to cave on their gear, boots, and clothing.
Soil Core Sample #1
Soil core obtained from existing goose grazing lawn along the Smith River in the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area of the National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska. The buried layer of peat beneath goose grazing lawn demonstrates that vegetation change has occurred in this area.
Soil core obtained from existing goose grazing lawn along the Smith River in the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area of the National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska. The buried layer of peat beneath goose grazing lawn demonstrates that vegetation change has occurred in this area.
USGS Public Lecture Series: Out of Africa--Dust in the Wind
Every year, billions of tons of fine desert dust from the Saharan Desert are transported thousands of miles through the atmosphere to the Americas, Europe and the Near East. Living microorganisms and chemical contaminants such as pesticides and metals are carried along with the dust.
Every year, billions of tons of fine desert dust from the Saharan Desert are transported thousands of miles through the atmosphere to the Americas, Europe and the Near East. Living microorganisms and chemical contaminants such as pesticides and metals are carried along with the dust.
Soil Sampling
JoAnn Holloway(USGS) and Ron Wiederholt(NDSU) collecting soil samples.
JoAnn Holloway(USGS) and Ron Wiederholt(NDSU) collecting soil samples.
Arid Soils
Jim Crowley taking spectral measurements of arid soil with a field spectrometer.
Jim Crowley taking spectral measurements of arid soil with a field spectrometer.
Related Content
- FAQ
Does the USGS have reports on the background levels of elements in soils and other surficial materials?
The following USGS products will be helpful in determining the background levels of various elements in soils and other surficial materials: Geochemical and Mineralogical Data for Soils of the Conterminous United States (2013) Data for samples collected at three intervals (0-5 cm surficial soils, A-Horizon soils, and C-Horizon soils) across the entire conterminous U.S. These data provide the best...
How are harmful elements and compounds in plants, soils, rocks, and sediments regulated?
Regulatory limits for safe levels of elements in water and foodstuffs are established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, there are generally no regulatory limits that scientists can refer to when dealing with plants, soils, rocks, and sediments. Therefore, to determine whether a plant, soil, rock, or sediment contains a 'high...
What are some benefits of volcanic eruptions?
Over geologic time, volcanic eruptions and related processes have directly and indirectly benefited mankind: Volcanic materials ultimately break down and weather to form some of the most fertile soils on Earth, cultivation of which has produced abundant food and fostered civilizations. The internal heat associated with young volcanic systems has been harnessed to produce geothermal energy . Most...
- Multimedia
Dry, cracked soil (RAMPS)
Rangelands of the desert Southwest can be in a degraded condition and lacking perennial vegetation, which can lead to exposed soil and erosion.
Rangelands of the desert Southwest can be in a degraded condition and lacking perennial vegetation, which can lead to exposed soil and erosion.
BiocrustOn the Colorado Plateau, mature biocrusts are bumpy and dark-colored due to the presence of lichens, mosses, and high densities of cyanobacteria and other organisms. Disturbed biocrusts are lighter in color, looking more like the underlying sand than undisturbed ones, and are less capable of stabilizing soils or providing soil fertility.
On the Colorado Plateau, mature biocrusts are bumpy and dark-colored due to the presence of lichens, mosses, and high densities of cyanobacteria and other organisms. Disturbed biocrusts are lighter in color, looking more like the underlying sand than undisturbed ones, and are less capable of stabilizing soils or providing soil fertility.
Footprint damage to biocrustsMany human activities can be unintentionally harmful to biological crusts. The biocrusts are no match for the compressional stress caused by footprints of livestock or people or tracks from vehicles.
Many human activities can be unintentionally harmful to biological crusts. The biocrusts are no match for the compressional stress caused by footprints of livestock or people or tracks from vehicles.
Biocrusts provide soil stability and prevent erosionBiocrusts provide soil stability and prevent erosion. Soil is the foundation where plants live; if soil is not stable, native plants can have difficulty growing.
Biocrusts provide soil stability and prevent erosion. Soil is the foundation where plants live; if soil is not stable, native plants can have difficulty growing.
USGS scientist Sasha Reed studys outdoor biocrust testing sitesUSGS scientist Sasha Reed studies sites where different climate conditions are being mimicked to determine effect on biocrusts.
USGS scientist Sasha Reed studies sites where different climate conditions are being mimicked to determine effect on biocrusts.
Taking soil samplesUSGS researchers collecting a soil sample for rare earth elements at the Roy Creek prospect, Alaska. Jamey Jones is holding the bag while Erin Todd shovels soil into the bag.
USGS researchers collecting a soil sample for rare earth elements at the Roy Creek prospect, Alaska. Jamey Jones is holding the bag while Erin Todd shovels soil into the bag.
Soil in Test TubeAmount of soil (about 200 mg) from which Geomyces destructans was cultured. This shows the small amount of soil needed to harbor live fungus and the threat that humans might pose in moving it around from cave to cave on their gear, boots, and clothing.
Amount of soil (about 200 mg) from which Geomyces destructans was cultured. This shows the small amount of soil needed to harbor live fungus and the threat that humans might pose in moving it around from cave to cave on their gear, boots, and clothing.
Soil Core Sample #1Soil core obtained from existing goose grazing lawn along the Smith River in the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area of the National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska. The buried layer of peat beneath goose grazing lawn demonstrates that vegetation change has occurred in this area.
Soil core obtained from existing goose grazing lawn along the Smith River in the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area of the National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska. The buried layer of peat beneath goose grazing lawn demonstrates that vegetation change has occurred in this area.
USGS Public Lecture Series: Out of Africa--Dust in the WindEvery year, billions of tons of fine desert dust from the Saharan Desert are transported thousands of miles through the atmosphere to the Americas, Europe and the Near East. Living microorganisms and chemical contaminants such as pesticides and metals are carried along with the dust.
Every year, billions of tons of fine desert dust from the Saharan Desert are transported thousands of miles through the atmosphere to the Americas, Europe and the Near East. Living microorganisms and chemical contaminants such as pesticides and metals are carried along with the dust.
Soil SamplingJoAnn Holloway(USGS) and Ron Wiederholt(NDSU) collecting soil samples.
JoAnn Holloway(USGS) and Ron Wiederholt(NDSU) collecting soil samples.
Arid SoilsJim Crowley taking spectral measurements of arid soil with a field spectrometer.
Jim Crowley taking spectral measurements of arid soil with a field spectrometer.
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