Development of a National Soil Geospatial Database.

In the past 3 years, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Soil Survey Division both recognized the need to geo-spatially enable the traditionally attribute-only National Soil Information System (NASIS) and to implement a Major Land Resource Area (MLRA)-wide approach to soil correlation for detailed soil survey information.  This effort requires a more institutional use of Geographic Information (GIS) tools into the daily work of field and regional soil survey staff, compared to the current Ad Hoc approach.    The business and functional requirements of a transactional-National Soil Geospatial Database (transact-NSGD) are documented and described in this presentation.  The definition of a transactional National Soil Geospatial Database is a national collection of timely, consistent, accurate, reliable, and fully attributed soil spatial layers (vector model - map unit polygons, lines, and points; special feature lines and points; field data collection transects and pedon points) needed to conduct soil survey operations and deliver soil data and information that meets customer’s needs (data content). The transactional connection and processes between the spatial and attribute data are transparent to user (National Cooperative Soil Survey staff) during development, quality control/quality assurance, delivery, and use of these data (data container or information system). The transact-NSGD is anticipated to enhance the ability of the NCSS to deliver consistent, reliable soil information to internal and external customers in a timely manner for an appropriate area of interest.  New roles and best practices for managing vector soil survey information using ArcGIS 9.2 Spatial Data Engine and SQL Server 2005 within a national program are outlined.