Resources
As a soil informatics laboratory, the Geospatial Laboratory for Soil Informatics (GLSI) is dedicated to enhancing soil data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Understanding soil landscapes and their interactions with land use is crucial for addressing challenges in agriculture, ecology, and environmental management. Our lab integrates geospatial technologies, data analytics, and soil science to advance soil information systems and improve land-use decision-making.
Soil Information
Accurate soil information is fundamental to tackling agricultural, ecological, and environmental challenges. By combining geospatial technologies, data analytics, and soil science, GLSI enhances the accuracy, accessibility, and application of soil data, supporting research, conservation, and sustainable land management.
History of Soil Survey
The U.S. Soil Survey program began in 1899 as a collaborative effort between federal, state, and local agencies, with universities playing a key role in state-level contributions. It has grown into one of the world’s most comprehensive soil mapping programs, producing a detailed national soil map covering the conterminous United States and beyond. Today, the USDA-NRCS continues to refine and maintain this dataset, ensuring its relevance for scientific research, conservation, and land management.
For an interactive look at historical and modern soil survey data, explore the USDA-NRCS Soil Survey Map.
Soil Survey and Its Applications
A soil survey is a scientific inventory that classifies and evaluates soil characteristics within a specific geographic area. These surveys provide essential data on soil types, properties, and potential land uses, helping:
- Farmers optimize crop selection, irrigation, and soil conservation strategies.
- Engineers assess soil stability for construction and infrastructure development.
- Conservationists implement erosion control, wetland preservation, and habitat restoration.
- Urban planners make informed land-use and zoning decisions.
By leveraging soil survey data, stakeholders can develop sustainable solutions that balance economic productivity with environmental stewardship.
Land Use Information
Iowa’s landscape is primarily agriculture-driven, making the state a national leader in corn, soybean, pork, beef, and egg production. However, it is also one of the most affected regions by soil erosion worldwide, emphasizing the need for sustainable land management practices.
How is Land Used?
Approximately 85% of Iowa’s land is dedicated to farming, with the majority allocated to corn and soybean production. These crops are essential for food supply, animal feed, and ethanol production. With abundant local feed sources, Iowa leads the nation in pork and egg production, while some land is also used for grazing livestock or preserved as natural grasslands.
Beyond agriculture, urban expansion is shaping the landscape, with cities like Des Moines and Cedar Rapids growing alongside essential infrastructure projects. Additionally, portions of the state are set aside for wetlands, forests, and conservation areas, playing a crucial role in biodiversity preservation, soil erosion mitigation, and water resource management.
CEMA 221: Supporting Soil Carbon Monitoring
The Geospatial Laboratory for Soil Informatics (GLSI) proudly supports the USDA-NRCS Conservation Evaluation and Monitoring Activity 221 (CEMA-221). This citizen science-based protocol provides structured guidelines for soil sampling, data collection, and analysis to assess soil organic carbon stocks. These assessments help evaluate the impact of conservation practices and contribute to greenhouse gas accounting on agricultural lands.
Landowners enrolled in the USDA-NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) may be eligible for financial support by participating in CEMA-221 soil monitoring efforts.
Explore Our Resources and Services
Beyond providing soil data and mapping resources, GLSI at Iowa State University offers specialized soil research services:
🔹 Deep Soil Core Collection – Extracting high-quality soil cores using a hydraulic Giddings probe for research, monitoring, and land management.
🔹 High-Precision Soil Analysis – Measuring particle size distribution with a laser diffractometer to gain detailed insights into soil texture and composition.
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