The USDA developed an online resource tool for data and information on soil composition, features and basic maps for more than 95% of the nation's counties. The soil surveys can be utilized for general farms, as well as local and wider area planning.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/QRSipAAYQ1w
Soils
The soil found within different regions, counties or states can differ from each other based on the natural processes that occur in those environments and the materials found within the landscape. These natural processes can range from "water accumulation and movement, the oxygen levels, interactions of plant and animal life, any underlying rock types, and the varying temperatures on rock materials". (Pleming, 2016) By 2016, there was approximately 180 soil series that had been recognized in the state of South Carolina.
The chosen area of interest (AOI) lies within Orangeburg County and after establishing the zone with a grid-layout through the simulation, the soil map showed a multitude of soil types for parts of the county. It was interesting to see that the majority of the soil types were described as 'sandy' and 'loamy'.
The general area of interest (AOI) for a portion of Orangeburg County that was able to be mapped at one time. If the area was too large the simulation would not able to be map it.
- Map Locations (AeB - BoB)
- Map Locations (By - FaB)
- Map Locations (FuB - Mo)
- Map Locations (NeB - OrB)
- Map Locations (OrB - W)
Soil Map (Area of Interest) - Horne Wetlands Park
For the Horne Wetlands Park, I wanted to encompass as much of the actual boardwalk as possible that follows along the Edisto River because that is one of the main feature within the nature area. After laying out the grid, I was able to produce a map that showed the soil types that were surveyed in the area. For the grid layout, I had to use the polygon AOI button on the toolbar because the regular parameter grid did not cover the area correctly.
Area of Interest (AOI) for Horne Wetlands Park and Tupelo-Cypress wetlands along the Edisto River.
The two soil types shown in the mapped area were lumbee loamy sand and udorthents, loamy soil. The loamy sand is generally characterized as mostly sand-based with other components such as silt or clay mixed into the composition. The majority of the Horne Wetlands Park is comprised of the loamy sand as shown in the soil map taken of the area.
These areas are also described as 'frequently flooded' because of the Edisto River, which has seen an increase in water levels due to the numerous tropical storms and hurricanes that have impacted the area over the last few years.