Wisconsin Soil Survey Activities

Since completing the initial soil survey on May 15, 2006, the Wisconsin soil survey program has redirected its efforts toward improving and updating the soils information in Wisconsin.  With collaboration from our partners we developed four strategic objectives.  Work is being done to meet those objectives.

Objective 1 Seamless Databases

Patchwork of Wisconsin's Soil Surveys

Because the initial phase of Wisconsin's modern soil survey has taken place over the past 50 years, a patchwork effect of products has resulted.  Those surveys completed in the early stages of the modern soil survey were mapped with different concepts and tools than those completed in the latter stages.  Soil concepts of the early soil surveys were centered on political boundaries, rather than the more natural geomorphic boundaries.  The result was a sometimes conflicting join along county boundaries.  In order to remedy this inconsistency the soil survey staff is continuing the implementation of the following:

• Adopted the MLRA concept of conducting soil surveys and have restructured office and staff to implement this concept
• Begun work converting to a statewide legend and correlating map unit concepts across similar geomorphic regions.

Objective 2 Consistency in Data

Again, because of the patchwork effect of Wisconsin's soil survey products and the county centered soil concepts, similar soil mapunits across county boundaries may or may not have similar properties and interpretations.  By adopting the MLRA approach to soil survey and through the processes to create seamless databases, we will have more consistent data from survey to survey.

Objective 3 New and Improved Interpretations (Upgrade projects)

Interpretive map for potential of seedling mortality on Bear Island

Soil survey interpretations predict soil behavior for specified soil uses and under specified soil management practices. The current soil survey database provides powerful tools that give soil scientists and others the capabilities to provide soil information and interpretations to resolve complex natural resource issues. There are currently many interpretations written that use soil properties to aid land owners, managers and natural resource professionals in making wise land use decisions.  However many of these interpretations are written for national use and fail to consider local policy and resource concerns.  The Wisconsin soil survey program is working with resource professionals at the local and state level to identify improvements for our interpretations.

At times the need and desire for new interpretations requires extensive review and revision of the soil mapping of a given region.  These reviews and revisions are conducted to address a specific resource concern identified from dialog with our internal and external customers.   A list of the current upgrade projects is located at the upper right of this page.

Objective 4 Targeted increases in Customers

With the completion of the initial soil survey for Wisconsin along with the introduction of the Web Soil Survey, soil survey products and information has seen renewed interest.  By continually adding value to the products we deliver, we foresee an increase and diversification of customers.

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