Map Library

The Map Library is a central hub for accessing a variety of geospatial resources produced by the Geospatial Laboratory for Soil Informatics (GLSI). It includes three key components: the Image Library, which features static maps and animated GIFs; the GIS Data Library, which offers downloadable spatial datasets; and the upcoming Soilscapes platform, an interactive web viewer for exploring raster layers.

Together, these resources highlight critical information related to physiography, land use, soil properties, soil interpretations, climate, and soil mapping status, supporting research, education, and land management efforts through both visual and data-driven tools.

Libraries

Image Library

The Map Library offers a collection of geospatial maps that highlight key aspects of Iowa and its surrounding states, including landscapes, soil properties, land use, and climate. These maps serve as valuable resources for researchers, educators, and the general public, providing insights into physiographic regions, soil interpretations, and mapping status across the state.

Explore the different categories to view detailed visual representations of soil characteristics, environmental conditions, and land classification, supporting data-driven decision-making in agriculture, conservation, and land-use planning.

Soilscapes: Interactive GIS Map Viewer

Soilscapes is an interactive web application developed by the Geospatial Laboratory for Soil Informatics that allows users to explore a wide range of soil and landscape raster data across Iowa and the broader United States. Unlike static maps, Soilscapes enables dynamic, spatial exploration of detailed datasets to support research, planning, and land management.

Users can view high-resolution rasters such as digital hillslope position, soil drainage index, slope gradient, and CSR2, as well as soil texture layers (percent sand, silt, and clay), organic matter, field capacity, wilting point, and depth to water table. Additional layers include parent material classifications, hillshade visualizations from LiDAR, and NAIP aerial imagery (natural color and infrared).

These datasets are derived primarily from the National Cooperative Soil Survey gSSURGO database, and many have been developed or refined by GLSI using methods like LiDAR analysis, statistical modeling, and soil landscape segmentation. Soilscapes supports interactive viewing and comparison of layers to better understand soil variability, terrain-driven processes, and historical land conditions, making it a valuable tool for agricultural planning, conservation assessment, and geospatial research.

All layers are hosted by Iowa State University, and unless otherwise noted, were developed by the Geospatial Laboratory for Soil Informatics.