Detailed Soil Survey Atlas—Natural Resource Planning

This collection of thematic maps illustrates the application of detailed soil survey information for homeland security and natural resource planning.

Soil Suitability for Catastrophic Large Animal Disposal Pit—Kansas

The need to dispose of many large animals may result from a natural disaster, disease, or terrorist attack. If the pathogen responsible for animal death is highly contagious, it is critical to minimize the time necessary to bury the animals as well as the distance that they must be transported for disposal. The pit method disposes of dead animals by placing carcasses in successive layers in an excavated pit. The chemical and physical properties of soils can help distinguish areas that are most suitable for excavating pits and disposing of large animals or areas with the least number of soil limitations.

Soils data obtained from the National Soil Information System was combined with the Soil Survey Geographic Database to map the soil suitability for large animal disposal pits. The Kansas case study region was chosen based on the presence of large confined feedlot operations. This interpretive map demonstrates how important soils are in determining which areas may be suitable for these emergency response uses.

Soil Root Zone Available Water Capacity—Kansas

This map was prepared using soils data obtained from the National Soil Information System combined with the Soil Survey Geographic Database to produce the Soil Root Zone Available Water Capacity map of the state of Kansas. The soil is rated or evaluated from the surface horizon through the profile to a depth of the first restrictive soil layer, such as bedrock or a dense layer, or to a depth of 150 cm to determine the root zone. The root zone available water capacity (RZAWC) is then computed. This calculation arrays soils for their inherent capacity to store and supply moisture to plants. RZAWC affects crop production and is an important physical soil property. The quantity of water held in the root zone and available for plant use directly influences productivity of the crop plant and yields. See the USDA Web site for more information on soils.