LDAR Enhanced Soi Survey (LESS)

摘要

In the course of mapping soils, the soil scientist uses a combination of science and art to make the soil map. The soil borings and soil pits reveal the soil properties used to classify soils—these decisions are dominated by science, experience, andjudgment. The photo tone, landform, and slope breaks provide logical places to delineate soil boundaries—these decisions are dominated by experience, art, and judgment. Soil line placement is much more subjective because by necessity the soil scientistmust project out from the soil borings, interpret the landscape, and sketch the boundary lines. Many of these lines are intended to occur at predetermined slope breaks (e.g., 0-2%, 2-5%). Accuracy in delineating lines that separate slope groups has beenbased on a relatively few readings with a clinometer, stereoscope interpretations, and interpolation based on field experience. In addition, vegetation (trees or crops) can obscure slope readings when trying to create the best line placement. Line placement varies among soil scientists with the level of experience and skill in landform interpolation. Because of these limitations, our best efforts at slope break line placement have not always been as accurate as we would like. With the advent of precision farming, highly erodible land determinations, etc., our soils lines are coming under greater scrutiny.