Photographing the Field Indicators

This photo accompanies [Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United States].

 

Note: The soil profile face on the left has been picked to better show natural soil structure. The profile on the right has been smoothed to better reflect the contrast in color and/or special features.

 

John Kelley, Regional Soil Scientist, Raleigh, NC photographs a hydric Rains soil for the publication "Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United States".

 

In the fall of 2007, an effort was initiated by the National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils (NTHCS) to photograph hydric soil features for the republication of the Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United States. This publication is a joint project between the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service and the US-Army Corps of Engineers. It is a guide specifically designed to aid in the identification and delineation of hydric soils and wetlands.

 

The guide was developed by soil scientists of NRCS in cooperation with the USA-COE, the Environmental Protection Agency, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and many regional, state, and local agencies. The hydric soil indicators listed in the publication are those approved by the NTCHS for use in identifying, delineating, and verifying hydric soils in the field.

 

One way to ensure the guide is being used to its greatest potential is to have accurate and detailed photographs of the many and varied types of soil features associated with hydric soil conditions. Many of the indicators are strongly expressed and readily observable; however, others are more subtle and require close observation. The new images will help users of the guide to have a better understanding of both typical and atypical features or conditions reflected by differences in soil color.

 

John Kelley, regional soil scientist, USDA-NRCS was selected to photograph hydric soil profiles and individual soil features. With the support of the NTCHS and the sponsoring agencies, John travelled to several locations in the southeastern US, upper Midwest, and Alaska to photograph the commonplace as well as unique indicators. This project however, was not a one-man show. Many individuals contributed significantly to the process. Site leaders and participants in the photo project included:

 

John Gagnon, Resource Soil Scientist, Edenton, NC

Greg Hammer, Resource Soil Scientist, Smithfield, VA

Charlie Ogg, MLRA Soil Survey Office Leader, Bishopville, SC

Caleb Gulley, Soil Scientist, Bishopville, SC

Jackie Reed, Soil Scientist, Bishopville, SC

Alan Walters, Resource Soil Scientist, Salisbury, NC

Wade Hurt, Soil Scientist (ret.), Gainesville, FL

Joe Moore, MLRA Team Leader/State Soil Scientist, Palmer, AK

Joe White, COE, Anchorage, AK

Mike Holley, COE, Anchorage, AK,

Dave D’Amore, USFS, Juneau, AK

Nick Bonzey, USFS, Juneau, AK

Steve Sieler, State Soil Liaison, Bismarck, ND

Fred Aziz, Area Resource Soil Scientist, Jamestown, ND

Alan Gulsvig, Area Resource Soil Scientist, Devils Lake, ND

Kyle Thomson, Soil Scientist, Devils Lake, ND

 

All of the individuals identified (as well as many others) spent a great deal of time securing approval from land owners, selecting and preparing the sites, making travel arrangements, working closely to ensure the best possible product. Their efforts greatly contributed to the success of this project.

 

The surrounding landscape, a small hand dug pit, a shovel slice, and close-ups of individual features were routinely photographed at each of the sites. As many of the approved and test indicators were photographed as time and resources allowed. The images were captured using common objects for scale (photo tape, knife, hand, etc.). Once the images are formatted for publication, they will also be mounted in a template using a reference scale generated in Adobe Photoshop.

 

A database containing information for site location (UTM), landscape/landform, soil series, and a brief soil description is available for the sites. The republication of the guide for the Field Indicators was published in 2010. [Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United States, 2010].

 

 

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