Discover Life in America

Anthony Khiel - 01 January, 1999

Soil Information Questionaire

Date: Thu, 01 Jan 1999 15:54:49 -0500
From: "Anthony R. Khiel" <akhiel@tn.nrcs.usda.gov>g
Reply-To: akhiel@tn.nrcs.usda.gov
To: dl@discoverlife.org
CC: Chip Smith <Chip.Smith@nc.usda.gov>g


Anthony R. Khiel
Soil Survey Project Leader
Great Smoky Mountains Soil Survey

SOILS INFORMATION QUESTIONAIRE
The U. S. Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service has begun the soil survey of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  This project will ultimately produce a soils map of the park at a 1:24,000 scale along with numerous interpretations related to the use and management of the soils in the park.  The process of soil formation, soil genesis, will be investigated extensively.  This will provide information on the different landscapes in the park as well as the influences of time, climate, parent materials, and biological activity on the formation of the soils.
This project in the park provides NRCS with a unique opportunity for a soil survey of this scale.  Generally, NRCS produces soils interpretations for agricultural and commercial developmental uses, however this project gives the agency the opportunity to produce a product whose primary user will be the scientific researcher.   The final product will of course be available to the general public, but its primary use will be to support scientific research.  We are asking for input from the scientific community regarding the information that you would like to see included in the soil survey related to soils interpretation and soils data that can be provided as a result of the survey process.  Below is a partial outline of the types of information that NRCS soil scientists collect and report on a routine basis.

Information included in the Soil Survey:

Physical Parameters:

	Particle size distribution (percent of sand, silt, and clay)
	Mineralogy
	Organic matter content and form
	Soil Structure
	Porosity
	Permeability
	Infiltration rate
	Erosion index
	Water table depth
	Stone content
	Bulk density
	Available water capacity
	Shrink-swell capacity
	Flooding potential

Chemical Parameters

	Soil pH
	Cation exchange capacity
	Base saturation 
	Content of iron oxides
	Content of aluminum oxides

The above is not a complete list, but gives you the idea of the types of information that we generally collect and report.  We are seeking your assistance in tailoring this list and tailoring the types of information that we collect and report to best assist the various research activities being conducted in the park.  Also, please keep in mind the future needs of potential research activities in the park.  

NRCS appreciates any help you can provide.





Please send any and all comments to:

Anthony R. Khiel
Soil Survey Project Leader

USDA-NRCS
517 E. Bruce St.
Sevierville, TN 37862
(423)453-4664
email akhiel@tn.nrcs.usda.gov

Discover Life in America | Science | Mapping | Khiel - 01 January, 1999