OVERVIEW

The Soils datalayer has been automated from 1:25,000 published soils surveys as provided on various media by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). All soils data released by MassGIS have been "SSURGO-certified," which means they have been reviewed and approved by the NRCS and meet all standards and requirements for inclusion in the national release of county-level digital soils data. Soil survey areas are roughly based on county boundaries.

At MassGIS the soils datalayer is stored in ArcSDE for Oracle as the statewide feature class SOILS_POLY. Two companion layers, SOILSPOT_PT and SOILSPOT_ARC, represent "special" or "ad hoc" features such as gravel pits, wet areas, bedrock escarpments and others.

Beginning in August, 2003, MassGIS is distributing soils data online by survey area, not by USGS Quad (see download links above). Specifics for each survey area (such as dates of compilation and other details) can be found in the FGDC-compliant metadata text files that MassGIS distributes with all SSURGO data.

The status for each survey area is stored in the statewide layer named SOILSTAT_POLY. See details below in the Attributes section.

View the Status Map - Updated May 2007 for Hampden Central, Hampshire Central, and Worcester Northwest

This data set is not designed for use as a primary regulatory tool in permitting or siting decisions, but may be used as a reference source. This information may be interpreted by organizations, agencies, units of government, or others based on needs; however they are responsible for the appropriate application. Federal, state, or local regulatory bodies are not to assign to the NRCS any authority for the decisions that they will make. The NRCS will not perform any evaluations of these maps for purposes related solely to state or local regulatory programs. 

Maps that use NRCS SSURGO data must show the source (NRCS) and date and, space permitting, contain the following notation: 

"This Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) data base was produced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service and cooperating agencies for the Soil Survey of _______ County, (state). The soils were mapped at a scale of ______ with a _______ acre minimum size delineation. Enlargement of these maps to scales greater than that at which they were originally mapped can cause misunderstanding of the detail of mapping. If enlarged, maps do not show the small areas of contrasting soil that could have been shown at a larger scale. The depicted soil boundaries and interpretations derived from them do not eliminate the need of onsite sampling, testing, and detailed study of specific sites for intensive uses. Thus, this map and its interpretations are intended for planning purposes only. Digital data files are periodically updated. Files are dated, and users are responsible for obtaining the latest version of the data."

Scale and minimum mapping unit may be found in the FGDC-style metadata produced for each survey area by NRCS. These metadata files may viewed at http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov/Survey.aspx?State=MA. On this page, select a survey area and click the "View Metadata" button.

NRCS staff in Missouri and Amherst, Mass. digitized and performed all quality control for data in the Norfolk/Suffolk, Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket survey areas. All other survey areas were developed by staff at the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR) and MassGIS, to which the following description applies.

Source materials vary by survey area and include scribecoat, clear film positives, and half-tone mylars containing soil lines as well as labels and cultural features. Source sheets to date contained data by "third-quad," a standard NRCS tiling scheme for its published surveys which splits a USGS quadrangle into three sections (north, central and south), "quarter-quad" (a USGS quad split into four (NW, NE, SW, SE) parts, and full USGS quads. Scale varies by survey area; see the FGDC-compliant metadata for each area distributed by MassGIS. (Note: the ArcSDE layer SOILINDEX_POLY is the index layer for the "third-quad" scheme.)

Source mylars were scanned at a resolution of 500 dots per inch. The scanned images were registered, rectified, and converted to grids using ARC/INFO. Soils linework was extracted from the grids in the ARC/INFO GRID module and vectorized. MassGIS completed all processing from scanning through vectorization. Map neatline development, line smoothing, labeling, edge matching, and merging of third-quads into full 7.5 minute quads was done by DAR staff. Special and ad hoc features such as rock outcrops or stripped land areas that are smaller than the original NRCS minimum mapping units were manually digitized by DAR. These features were captured due to their uniqueness in their surroundings and are represented as point and line data because they are too small to be shown as area features at the scale of mapping. They are contained in the SOILSPOT layers. Mass DAR staff performed all quality checking prior to submittal for SSURGO certification. The NRCS Missouri Digitizing Unit reviewed the soil coverages and special and ad hoc features for adherence to Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) database standards.

Checkplots were made by DAR and reviewed by NRCS staff at various times during the editing process. NRCS soil scientists edgematched each survey area to all abutting surveys (including those in adjacent states) and these edits were incorporated into the quad coverages. Mylar checkplots were provided to NRCS for compilation of special and ad hoc features that were digitized by DAR staff. Each quad within the survey area was submitted to the NRCS Missouri Digitizing Unit for SSURGO review and these edits were incorporated in the final datalayer.

Soils Polygons

Each SOILS_POLY polygon contains the following items:
 

		MUSYM		Map Unit symbol. Same as STATELEG item (see below). This item is included in data distributed by NRCS from the SSURGO Web site and uniquely identifies each closed delineation map unit
		MUKEY		Map Unit Key for linking information in the National Soil Information System (NASIS) tables (presently used for newer survey areas). This item is included in data distributed by NRCS from the SSURGO Web site.
		CODE		The soil map unit that appears in the published soil survey (hardcopy books). A map unit is identified and named according to the taxonomic classification of the dominant soil or soils. MassGIS added this item to the attribute table. CODE values do not uniquely identify a soil type statewide, only for a survey area. For example, CODE ScB is STATELEG 16B in Essex North, but 223B in Norfolk-Suffolk. Middlesex is unpublished and the CODE values for that survey area match those in MUSYM. Worcester Northwest was published with the MUSYM codes.
		SS_AREA		Code for soil survey area (abbreviation of county name(s)): BARN   BARNSTABLE BERK BERKSHIRE BRIS BRISTOL SOUTH BRISNO BRISTOL NORTH DUKES DUKES ESNOR ESSEX NORTH ESSOU ESSEX SOUTH FRAN FRANKLIN HAMDCE HAMPDEN CENTRAL HAMPCE HAMPSHIRE CENTRAL   HHEA   HAMPDEN-HAMPSHIRE EAST HHWE HAMPDEN-HAMPSHIRE WEST MIDDSX MIDDLESEX NANTCK NANTUCKET NORSUF NORFOLK-SUFFOLK PLYMTH PLYMOUTH WONE WORCESTER NORTHEAST WONW WORCESTER NORTHWEST WORS WORCESTER SOUTH
		STATELEG		The corresponding code from the statewide legend. Published soil surveys vary in coding schemes and the statewide legend assigns one symbol to a soil map unit across the state. Same as MUSYM. Added by MassGIS.
		SLOPE		Slope of the landscape, derived from the last character of the STATELEG item, if present. Possible SLOPE codes are: A: 0-3%   B: 3-8%   C: 8-15% D: 15-25% E: 25-35% 0: Water or urban land (no slope)
		SS_CODE		A unique value that contains both the CODE and the soil survey area item (SS_AREA) as a redefined item.
		MUSYM_AREA		Concatenation of MUSYM and SS_AREA, to correlate the map unit symbol to its soil survey area. In some cases, a mapunit may have different properties in different survey areas. Useful for some table joins.

Special ("spot") Features

Each special/ad hoc feature (SOILSPOT_ARC and SOILSPOT_PT) contains the following items:

		LABEL		A three- or four-letter code representing the special or ad hoc feature description; equal to the FEATSYM or MUSYM item in data from NRCS. Current codes include: BLO   Blowout BOU   Bouldery spot CLA Clay spot DRY Dry spot ESB Escarpment, bedrock ESO Escarpment, other GPI Gravel pit GRA Gravelly spot GUL Gully LDF Landfill LVS Levee LVXR Levee without road   MAR    Marsh or swamp MPI    Mine or quarry ROC Rock outcrop SAN Sandy spot SLP Short, steep slope SNK Sinkhole SPO Spoil Area STN Stony spot STR Stripped land STV Very stony spot WET Wet spot
		MAJOR		A numeric code representing a feature category based on USGS major code categories.
		MINOR		USGS/NRCS codes that define nodes, areas, lines, and points.
		SS_AREA		Abbreviation of the survey area

Soils Project Status

The SOILSTAT_POLY attribute table contains the following items storing status information for each survey area:
 

		SS_AREA		Abbreviation of the survey area
		SURVEY_AREA		Full survey area name
		COUNTY		County name (the survey area may comprise part of a county)
		STATUS		Status code
		STATUS_DESC		Status description
		Current STATUS and STATUS_DESC values include:  SC - SSURGO CERTIFIED (Available for disribution)  FR - FIELD REMAPPING UNDERWAY
		METADATA		Format of related tables, as distributed on CD or available from online download:  A = Microsoft Access databases (newer survey areas) (All surveys with SSURGO-Certified data are coded "A"; those null are not yet available)

Prime Farmland Soils

In ArcSDE, MassGIS has created the spatial view SOILS_POLY_PRIMEFARMLAND, based on the FARMLNDCL field in the SOILS_POLY_MAPUNIT table. Categories of prime farmland include:

All Areas Are Prime Farmland		Land that has the best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops, and is also available for these uses (the land could be cropland, pastureland, rangeland, forest land, or other land, but not urban built-up land or water). For a full definition, see http://soils.usda.gov/technical/handbook/contents/part622.html#04.
Farmland of Unique Importance		Land other than prime farmland that is used for the production of specific high value food and fiber crops. Examples of such crops are citrus, tree nuts, olives, cranberries, fruit, and vegetables.
Farmland of Statewide Importance		This is land, in addition to prime and unique farmlands, that is of statewide importance for the production of food, feed, fiber, forage, and oil seed crops, as determined by the appropriate state agency or agencies. Generally, these include lands that are nearly prime farmland and that economically produce high yields of crops when treated and managed according to acceptable farming methods.

For full defnitions of these categories see Section 657.5 -- Identification of Important Farmlands on http://soils.usda.gov/technical/handbook/contents/part622.html.

To create this theme using shapefiles or personal geodatabase feature classes, join SOILS_POLY to SOILS_POLY_MAPUNIT on the MUKEY field and display on FARMLNDCL.

These tables are contained in Microsoft Access 2000 databases (one for each available survey area) created by NRCS and which conform to the SSURGO II National Soil Information System (NASIS) attribute structure. This attribute database gives the proportionate extent of the component soils and the properties for each soil. The database contains both estimated and measured data on the physical and chemical soil properties and soil interpretations for engineering, water management, recreation, agronomic, woodland, range, and wildlife uses of the soil.

The Access databases are available by clicking on the "Soils Polygons and Special (Spot/Ad Hoc) Features" download link at the top of this page (this will take you to the download page, and the Access databases are listed in the "Metadata" column). The databases are also distributed on MassGIS Data Viewer CDs. When the Access databases are first opened, a Soil Reports form appears that allows the user to quickly query the database and create a report for that survey area. For descriptiions of the Access tables, see the "SSURGO Metadata" reports inside each Access database.

For documentation of all the tables in the Access databases see http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov/SSURGOMetadata.aspx.

In the ArcSDE database internal to EOEEA, combined tables exist for the following relational tables:

Table Name		Description		What it Contains
SOILS_POLY_COMPONENT		Map Unit Component		Lists the map unit components identified in the referenced map unit, and selected properties of each component.
SOILS_POLY_COCROPYLD		Component Crop Yield		Lists commonly grown crops and their expected range in yields when grown on the referenced map unit component. Yields for the map unit as a whole are given in the Mapunit Crop Yield table (SOILS_POLY_MUCROPYLD).
SOILS_POLY_COFORPROD		Component Forest Productivity		Lists the site index and the annual productivity in cubic feet per acre per year (CAMI) of forest overstory tree species that typically occur on the referenced map unit component.
SOILS_POLY_COHYDRICCRITERIA		Component Hydric Criteria		Lists the hydric soil criteria met for those referenced map unit components that are classified as a "hydric soil."
SOILS_POLY_COINTERP		Component Interpretation		Lists the predictions of behavior and limiting features for specified uses made for the referenced map unit component.
SOILS_POLY_COMONTH		Component Month		Lists the monthly flooding and ponding characteristics for the referenced map unit component. This table has one row for each month of the year for each component key.
SOILS_POLY_COPWINDBREAK		Component Potential Windbreak		Lists the windbreak plant species commonly recommended for the referenced map unit component. A windbreak plant listed in this table may be used alone or in combination with other plants.
SOILS_POLY_CORESTRICTIONS		Component Restrictions		Lists the root restrictive feature(s) or layer(s) for the referenced map unit component.
SOILS_POLY_COSOILMOIST		Component Soil Moisture		Describes the typical soil moisture profile for the referenced map unit component during the month referenced in the Component Month table. The soil moisture profiles for each month, taken as a group of twelve months, describe the representativesituation for the component throughout the year.
SOILS_POLY_COTREESTOMNG		Component Trees To Manage		Lists the trees commonly recommended for managing on the referenced map unit component.
SOILS_POLY_MAPUNIT		Mapunit		Identifies the map units included in the referenced legend. Data related to the map unit as a whole are also given. Includes map unit (MUSYSM) and map unit description (MUNAME) for all unique map units across the state; prior to October 2008 these fields were stored separately in the table SOILS_POLY_MAPUNIT2, which is no longer used.
SOILS_POLY_MUAGGATT		Mapunit Aggregated Attribute		Records a variety of soil attributes and interpretations that have been aggregated from the component level to a single value at the map unit level. They have been aggregated by one or more appropriate means in order to express a consolidatedvalue or interpretation for the map unit as a whole.
SOILS_POLY_MUCROPYLD		Mapunit Crop Yield		Lists commonly grown crops and their expected yields for the referenced map unit as a whole. Yields for individual map unit components are given in the Component Crop Yield table (SOILS_POLY_COCROPYLD).
SOILS_POLY_MUTEXT		Mapunit Text		Notes and narrative descriptions related to the referenced map unit.

These additional non-relational tables provide further information:

SOILS_POLY_CODES		Database codes		Stores information on all codes used in the database
SOILS_POLY_LEGEND		Summary information on all available survey areas		Survey area names, codes, total acreage, scale of data development
SOILS_POLY_MDSTATTABS		Table Static Metadata		Records metadata (names, descriptions, etc.) about the tables that make up the tabular data set in each Access database. Each record in this table represents one table.
SOILS_POLY_MDSTATTABCOLS		Table Column Static Metadata		Table records the metadata for all columns of all tables that make up the tabular data set. Each record in this table represents one column of a particular table.

The following table provides descriptions of the codes used in the SOILSPOT layers:

SOILS_POLY_FEATURE

Special feature codes

Stores information on all codes used in the 'LABEL' item in the SOILSPOT arc and point layers.

For lists and descriptions of all the tables and the codes in the SSURGO 2 database, please refer to the SSURGO Metadata PDF documents "Tables", "Table Columns", "Table Column Descriptions", and "Domains".

On MassGIS Data Viewer CDs, soils polygons and special features are included in Shapefile format for available areas in the 'Physical_Resources' folder. In the 'soilmeta' sub-folder are the NASIS-formatted related tables for all available survey areas, in Microsoft Access 2000 databases inside self-extracting executables. These NASIS tables may be used to produce reports and generate thematic soils maps, and are necessary for use with NRCS' Soil Data Viewer product (see the next section, Displaying the Data). Additionally, users may download data and metadata from the links at the top of this page.

The soils polygons have very few attributes. A solid understanding of the many related data tables (listed above) is required to properly map and analyze these data. To decipher the many ways in which the soils data may be interpreted and displayed, using the related tables, USDA/NRCS has developed the Soil Data Viewer, software that may be run in GIS or non-GIS mode. It works on one survey area at a time. To create soils-based thematic maps (in GIS mode) with the Viewer, users need ArcView 3.1+, and any of the  downloadable .mdbs and shapefiles from MassGIS. The software in GIS mode is accessible as an ArcView Extension; it is a stand-alone utility in non-GIS mode. Users may create text reports in both modes. See http://www.itc.nrcs.usda.gov/soildataviewer/ for download, installation, and user guide information. The software also may be downloaded from the MassGIS ftp site (31 MB .zip file, including installation and user guides).

NRCS has also released versions of the Soil Data Viewer for ArcGIS 8.3, 9.0/9.1, and 9.2 and above. See http://soildataviewer.nrcs.usda.gov/ and click on "Download and Install Soil Data Viewer" on the right side of the page.

Also, NRCS has an online soils viewer ("Web Soil Survey") that displays a number of user-specified characteristics of soils. See http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/.

MassGIS has created the SOILS_POLY_MAPUNIT2 table that may be joined to the polygon data on the MUSYM item; this table provides descriptive text for each map unit and is useful for identifying and labeling soils polygons.

These datalayers are maintained by DAR and developed and updated when necessary in cooperation with NRCS. Additional survey areas will be added as they become available. Please see the current status map. In May, 2005, the five older survey areas in Massachusetts (BARN, BERK, HHEA, HHWE, and NORSUF) became available as SSURGO II data with accompanying NASIS Access databases.

MassGIS re-downloaded all data in May 2008 from the NRCS Soil Data Mart to ensure that MassGIS had the most up-to-date spatial data and database tables. MassGIS made these data available to the public on October 16, 2008. Also at this time the table SOILS_POLY_MAPUNIT2 was removed, as its fields (MUSYM and MUNAME) are included in the SOILS_POLY_MAPUNIT table.

Further information is available in the form of documents produced and maintained by the NRCS. These documents include: 

• SSURGO Metadata - documents, diagrams and reports describing the SSURGO standard, as well as the tools and procedures that are necessary to effectively use this data, can be found at http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov/SSURGOMetadata.aspx.
   
  
• The National Soil Survey Handbook, a multi-chapter guide that provides the main operational and procedural guidance for the soil survey program. All Handbook chapters are viewable on the Web and available for download in Microsoft Word 6.0 format. Please visit http://soils.usda.gov/technical/handbook/.
   
  
• The Soil Survey Manual, a single volume book which provides the major principles and practices needed for making and using soil surveys and for assembling and using data related to them. The Manual is intended primarily for use by soil scientists engaged in the classification and mapping of soils and in the interpretation of soil surveys. Although the Manual is oriented to the needs of those actively engaged in preparing soil surveys for publication, workers and students who have limited soils experience or are less familiar with the soil survey process also will be able to use the information. The Manual may be viewed in Microsoft Word and Adobe PDF formats on the web at http://soils.usda.gov/technical/manual/.
   
  
• The NASIS (National Soil Information System) Web site at  http://nasis.usda.gov. NASIS is a tool to help you create and maintain soil surveys. It takes advantage of database technology to provide an automated means for storing all information about soil surveys.
   
  
• Massachusetts Soil Survey - The Web site http://nesoil.com/massachusetts_soil_survey.htm contains information on Massachusetts soils surveys, including detailed descriptions of soil map units.
   
  

Last Updated 10/15/2008
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