Web Soil Survey

 Using the Web Soil Survey System - As a beginner:


I wanted to obtain more information on what the soil demographics are for Pony Pasture and the neighboring areas. One of the ways to find this information is to use the USDA's Web Soil Survey's website. This site can be intimidating at first, but I spent a few minutes clicking around and learning how to use the search and "AOI" (Area of Interest) results. 


Once I selected my area of interest, I selected the "Soil Map" tab which provided me with this:



The really cool portion of this Soil Map is on the left-hand side, where you can actually click on the text in blue and learn more about the soil type!



Now, this is where I believe the website could improve. There are a lot of technical terms in this description. While I understand some of the items (like the fact that it's a flood plain, frequently floods, and has mostly sand and clay), I do not know what it means to have a linear shape. 

Overall, I believe this site is really helpful when traveling to a new area or even when looking to purchase in a new location. By understanding the soil type, you can understand what the land can be used for - if anything. For example, with this section being classified as a "flood plain" means that it does not have well-draining soil and it floods frequently. When visiting Pony Pasture, it may be wise to wear water-proof shoes because it is not uncommon to find standing water in much of the park.  Additionally, understanding the make-up of the ground beneath you can help you identify different species that are living in the area.

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