U.S. Geological Survey --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Metadata for STATSGO Table of Contents Identification_Information Abstract Purpose Supplemental Information Data_Quality_Information Spatial_Data_Organization_Information Entity_and_Attribute_Information Detailed Description Overview Distribution_Information Metadata_Reference_Section --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Identification_Information Citation_Information Originator: Alhadeff, S. Jack Publication_Date: 1996 Title: State Soil Survey Geographic Data Base (STATSGO) for Georgia Edition: 1.0 1.1 Datum change from 1927 to 1983 (North American Datum of 1983) Data Re-projected using North American Datum (NAD83) - September 2000 Series_Information Series_Name: Digital Data Series Publication_Information Publication_Place: Atlanta, GA Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey Online_Linkage: http://csat.er.usgs.gov/statewide/layers/statsgo.html Scale_Denominator: 250000 Description Abstract This data set is a digital general soil association map developed by the National Cooperative Soil Survey. It consists of a broad based inventory of soils and nonsoil areas that occur in a repeatable pattern on the landscape and that can be cartographicly shown at the scale mapped. The soil maps for STATSGO are compiled by generalizing more detailed soil survey maps. Where more detailed soil survey maps are not available, data on geology, topography, vegetation, and climate are assembled, together with Land Remote Sensing Satellite (LANDSAT) images. Soils of like areas are studied, and the probable classification and extent of the soils are determined. Map unit composition for a STATSGO map is determined by transecting or sampling areas on the more detailed maps and expanding the data statistically to characterize the whole map unit. This data set consists of georeferenced digital map data and computerized attribute data. The map data are collected in 1- by 2-degree topographic quadrangle units and merged and distributed as statewide coverages. The soil map units are linked to attributes in the Map Unit Interpretations Record relational data base which gives the proportionate extent of the component soils and their properties. Purpose STATSGO depicts information about soil features on or near the surface of the Earth. These data are collected as part of the National Cooperative Soil Survey. Keywords: Soils, General Soils Map, State Soil Geographic, STATSGO, Georgia Supplemental_Information Procedures_Used Process Step Process Description: Map unit composition was determined by transecting or sampling areas on the more detailed soil maps and expanding the data statistically to characterize the whole map unit. Source Used Citation Abbreviation: SCS1 Process Date: 1994 Process Step Process Description: Soil map unit lines and symbols were drafted in red pencil on a mylar overlay that was punch registered to fit the mylar USGS 1:250,000-scale topographic quadrangle. A detailed and complete edit was performed on all overlays before digitizing. The soil delineation overlays were raster scanned at a scanning resolution of at least 0.01 inches and converted to a vector format or were manually digitized on a digitizing tablet with a resolution of at least 0.001 inches. Four control points corresponding to the four corners of the quadrangles were used for registration during data collection. The control points were either explicitly entered or developed by the software. The data sets were edge matched and merged into statewide coverages. A detailed and complete edit was performed on all digital data. Source Used Citation Abbreviation: USGS1, SCS3 Process Date: 1994 Revisions v 1.0 Reviews_Applied Colleague review May 1, 1996 by Keith McFadden and Jonathan Musser. Digital data was reviewed with respect to positional accuracy, contextual accuracy, attribute accuracy, topological consistency, and metadata content. 1. Bundle related attribute tables with digital spatial data. Done. 2. Reference STATSGO users guide. Done Logical Consistency Report: Certain node/geometry and topology (GT)-polygon/chain relationships are collected or generated to satisfy topological requirements. (The GT-polygon corresponds to the soil delineation). Some of these requirements include: chains must begin and end at nodes, chains must connect to each other at nodes, chains do not extend through nodes, left and right GT-polygons are defined for each chain element and are consistent throughout, and the chains representing the limits of the file (neatline) are free of gaps. The tests of logical consistency are performed using vendor software. The neatline is generated by connecting the explicitly entered four corners of the digital file. All data outside the enclosed region are ignored and all data crossing these geographically straight lines are clipped at the neatline. Data within a specified tolerance of the neatline are snapped to the neatline. Neatline straightening aligns the digitized edges of the digital data with the generated neatline (i.e., with the longitude/latitude lines in geographic coordinates). All internal polygons are tested for closure with vendor software and are checked on hard copy plots. All data are checked for common soil lines (i.e., adjacent polygons with the same label). Quadrangles are edge matched within the state, merged into a statewide data sets, and then edge matched to adjacent state data sets. Edge locations do not deviate from centerline to centerline by more than 0.01 inches. Approved by Tim Hale, Georgia District Chief, May 3, 1996. Related_Spatial_and_Tabular_Data_Sets The data base contains both estimated and measured data on the physical and chemical soil properties and soil interpretations for engineering, water management, recreation, agronomic, woodland, range and wildlife uses of the soil. The Soil Map Unit Interpretations Record data base consist of the following relational tables: codes (data base codes) - stores information on all codes used in the data base These tables are now renamed to statsgo. (see section on Entity and Attribute section. For a detailed discussion of the individual attributes contained within these 15 tables, see the STATSGO Users Guide. comp (map unit component) - stores information which will apply to a specific component of a soil map unit compyld (component crop yield) - stores crop yield information for soil map unit components forest (forest understory) - stores information for plant cover as forest understory for soil map unit components interp (interpretation) - stores soil interpretation ratings (both limitation ratings and suitability ratings) to soil map unit components layer (soil layer) - stores characteristics which apply to soil layers for soil map unit components mapunit (map unit) - stores information which applies to all components of a soil map unit plantcom (plant composition) - stores plant symbols and percent of plant composition associated with components of soil map units plantnm (plant name) - stores the common and scientific names for plants used in the data base rsprod (range site production) - stores range site production information for soil map unit components taxclass (taxonomic classification) - stores the taxonomic classification for soils in the data base windbrk (windbreak) - stores information on recommended windbreak plants for soil map unit components wlhabit (wildlife habitat) - stores wildlife habitat information for soil map unit components woodland (woodland) - store information on common indicator trees for soil map unit components woodmgt (woodland management) - stores woodland management information for soil map unit components yldunits (yield units) - stores crop names and the units used to measure yield Other_References_Cited U.S Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, Multiple soil survey publications Geospatial Data maps, Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, paper SCS1 U.S Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, multiple reconnaissance, county, and State general soil maps maps, Washington, D.C., U.S. Government Printing Office, paper SCS2 U.S Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, multiple compiled mylar overlays of map unit delineations, unpublished annotated overlay, stable-base mylar SCS3 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, State Soil Geographic Data Base (STATSGO), Data Users Guide, Washington, D.C., Miscellaneous Publication Number 1492, 1991-4. SCS4 U.S. Geological Survey, multiple maps, Reston, Virginia, U.S. Geological Survey, 1:250,000 scale, stable-base mylars USGS1 Notes Distribution Liability: Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system at the U.S Department of Agriculture, no warranty expressed or implied is made by the Agency regarding the utility of the data on any other system, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. The U.S. Department of Agriculture will warrant the delivery of this product in computer-readable format, and will offer appropriate adjustment of credit when the product is determined unreadable by correctly adjusted computer input peripherals, or when the physical medium is delivered in damaged condition. Request for adjustment of credit must be made within 90 days from the date of this shipment from the ordering site. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, nor any of its agencies are liable for misuse of the data. It is also not liable for damage, transmission of viruses, or computer contamination through the distribution of these data sets. The U.S. Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, and marital or familial status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Time_Period_of_Content Single_Date/Time Calendar_Date: 1994 Currentness_Reference 1994 publication date Status Progress: Approved for release by Tim Hale, Georgia District Chief Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency Complete, updates as needed by Natural Resources Conservation Service. Data_Set_Credit: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service State Soil Geographic (STATSGO) data base for Georgia Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 1994 Completeness_Report: A map unit is a collection of areas defined and named the same in terms of their soil and/or nonsoil areas. Each map unit differs in some respect from all others in a survey area and is uniquely identified. Each individual area is a delineation. Each map unit consists of one to 21 components. In those few areas where detailed maps did not exist, reconnaissance soil surveys were combined with data on geology, topography, vegetation, climate, and remote sensing images to delineate map units and estimate the percentages of components. The STATSGO map unit components are soil series phases, and their percent composition represents the estimated areal proportion of each within STATSGO map unit. The composition for a map unit is generalized to represent the statewide extent of that map unit and not the extent of any single map unit delineation. These specifications provide a nationally consistent representation of STATSGO attribute data. The actual composition and interpretive purity of the map unit delineations were based on statistical analysis of transect data. The composition was largely determined by measuring transects on detailed soil survey maps. The number of transects used was proportional to the relative size, number, and complexity of the delineations. The combined data on the length of the map units crossed by the transects were used to determine the percentages of the different soil and nonsoil areas in each map unit. Specific limits were established on the classification of soils and the design and name of map units. These limits are outlined in U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1975. Soil Taxonomy: A basic system of soil classification for making and interpreting soil surveys. Soil Conserv. Serv., U.S. Dep. Agric. Handb. 436.; U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1992. Keys to Soil Taxonomy. SMSS Technical Monograph No. 19. Soil Surv. Staff, Soil Conserv. Serv.; U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1993. National Soil Survey Handbook, title 430-VI. Soil Surv. Staff, Soil Conserv. Serv.; and U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1993. Soil Survey Manual. Soil Surv. Staff, U.S. Dep. Agric. Handbook 18. Adherence to National Cooperative Soil Survey standards and procedures is based on peer review, quality control, and quality assurance. Quality control is outlined in documents that reside with the Soil Conservation Service state soil scientist. Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report: The accuracy of these digital data is based upon their compilation to base maps that meet National Map Accuracy Standards. The difference in positional accuracy between the map unit boundaries in the field and their digitized map locations is unknown. The locational accuracy of soil delineations on the ground varies with the transition between map units. For example, in areas where changes in soils, climate, topography, and geology occur subtly across a portion of a state, the transition between soil map unit boundaries will be gradual. Where these features change abruptly, such as from an area of foothills to a lake plain, the transition will be very narrow. Soil delineation boundaries were digitized within 0.01 inches of their locations on the digitizing source. The digital map elements are edge matched between data sets. The data along each state boundary are matched against the data for the adjacent state. Edge locations generally do not deviate from centerline to centerline by more than 0.01 inch. Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Report: n/a Cloud_Cover: n/a Spatial_Domain Bounding_Coordinates West_Bounding_Coordinate: -85.60520192 East_Bounding_Coordinate: -80.73867637 North_Bounding_Coordinate: 34.98459876 South_Bounding_Coordinate: 30.33477245 Keywords Theme Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Theme_Keyword: NRCS SCS soil association Georgia statistical soils STATSGO Place Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Place_Keyword: State of Georgia Stratum Stratum_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Stratum_Keyword: Temporal Temporal_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Temporal_Keyword: Access_Constraints Use_Constraints The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service should be acknowledged as the data source in products derived from these data. STATSGO was designed primarily for regional, multi-county, river basin, State, and multi-state resource planning, management, and monitoring. STATSGO data are not detailed enough to make interpretations at a county level. This soil survey product is not designed for use as a primary regulatory tool in permitting or citing decisions, but may be used as a reference source. The use of these data is not restricted and may be interpreted by organizations, agencies, units of government, or others; however, they are responsible for its appropriate application. Federal, State, or local regulatory bodies are not to reassign to the Soil Conservation Service any authority for the decisions that they make. The Soil Conservation Service will not perform any evaluations of these maps for purposes related solely to state or local regulatory programs. When STATSGO data are overlayed with other data layers, such as land use data, caution must be used in generating statistics on the co-occurrence of the land use data with the soil data. The composition of the STATSGO map unit can be characterized independently for the land use and for the soil component, but there are no data on their joint occurrence at a more detailed level. Analysis of the overlayed data should be on a map polygon basis. Additional political, watershed, or other boundaries may be intersected with the soil data. Although the composition of each political and watershed unit may be described in terms of the STATSGO map units, information is not available to assign the components to the boundary units with full accuracy. As with the land use categories, the analysis should be restricted to the classified components. The approximate minimum area delineated is 625 hectares (1,544 acres), which is represented on a 1:250,000-scale map by an area approximately 1 cm by 1 cm (0.4 inch by 0.4 inch). Linear delineations are not less than 0.5 cm (0.2 inch) in width. The number of delineations per 1:250,000 quadrangle typically is 100 to 200, but may range up to 400. Delineations depict the dominant soils making up the landscape. Other dissimilar soils, too small to be delineated, are present within a delineation. Digital enlargements of these maps to scales greater than at which they were originally mapped can cause misinterpretation of the data. If enlarged, maps do not show the small areas of contrasting soils that could have been shown at a larger scale. The depicted soil boundaries, interpretations, and analysis derived from them do not eliminate the need for onsite sampling, testing, and detailed study of specific sites for intensive uses. Thus, these data and their interpretations are intended for planning purposes only. Attribute data for some data elements may be incomplete or missing. Where data are unavailable, a mask should be used to exclude the area from analysis. Digital data files are periodically updated. Files are dated, and users are responsible for obtaining the latest version of the data. Access Constraints: n/a Point_of_Contact: See Data_Set_Credit Security_Information Security_Classification_System: None Security_Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Security_Handling_Description: None Native_Data_Set_Environment: dgux UNIX, ARC/INFO version 7.0.4 Cross_Reference Originator: USDA, Soil Conservation Service, National Soil Cooperative Survey Publication_Date: 1994 Publication_Time: October Title: Digital Data: STATSGO, State Soil Geographic Data Base Edition: Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Series_Information Series_Name: CD-ROM Digital Data Issue_Identification: Publication_Information Publication_Place: Ft Worth, TX Publisher: U.S. Department of Agriculture Other_Citation_Details: Online_Linkage: http://www.ncg.nrcs.usda.gov/statsgo.html Larger_Work_Citation: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Data_Quality_Information Attribute_Accuracy Attribute_Accuracy_Report: See Logical_Consistency_Report: Polygon topology present. Completeness_Report Positional_Accuracy Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report: Quantitative_Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Assessment: Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Value: 120 meters Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Explanation: Resolution as reported Vertical_Positional_Accuracy Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Report: Lineage: See Cloud_Cover --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spatial_Data_Organization_Information Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Vector Point_and_Vector_Object_Information SDTS_Terms_Description SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: Point Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 2905 SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: String Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 7688 SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: GT-polygon composed of chains' Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 2906 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spatial_Reference_Information Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition Planar Map_Projection: Map_Projection_Name: ALBERS Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -83.5 Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 23 Latitude_of_First_Standard_Parallel: 29.5 Latitude_of_Second_Standard_Parallel: 45.5 False_Easting: 0.00000 False_Northing: 0.00000 Geodetic Model Horizontal_Datum_Name: North American Datum of 1983 Ellipsoid_Name: GRS 80 Semi-major_Axis: 6,378,206.4 Denominator_of_Flattening: 294.98 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Entity_and_Attribute_Information Detailed_Description Entity_Type Entity_Type_Label: STATSGO.PAT Entity_Type_Definition: Arc/Info polygon feature attribute table Entity_Type_Definition_Source: USDA, Soil Conservation Service Attribute: Attribute_Label: - Attribute_Definition: Arc/Info polygon feature attribute table Attribute_Definition_Source: USDA, Soil Conservation Service Attribute_Domain_Values Enumerated_Domain Enumerated_Domain_Value: - Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Attribute: Attribute_Label: AREA Attribute_Definition: Area of poly/region in square coverage units Attribute_Definition_Source: Computed Attribute_Domain_Values Enumerated_Domain Enumerated_Domain_Value: Positive real numbers Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Attribute: Attribute_Label: PERIMETER Attribute_Definition: Perimeter of poly/region in coverage units Attribute_Definition_Source: Computed Attribute_Domain_Values Enumerated_Domain Enumerated_Domain_Value: Positive real numbers Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Attribute: Attribute_Label: STATSGO# Attribute_Definition: Internal feature number Attribute_Definition_Source: Computed Attribute_Domain_Values Enumerated_Domain Enumerated_Domain_Value: Sequential unique positive integer Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Attribute: Attribute_Label: STATSGO-ID Attribute_Definition: User-assigned feature number Attribute_Definition_Source: User-defined Attribute_Domain_Values Enumerated_Domain Enumerated_Domain_Value: Integer Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Attribute: Attribute_Label: MUID Attribute_Definition: Map Unit ID (also named Soil Code -- relatable item to lookup tables) Attribute_Definition_Source: USDA, NRCS Attribute_Domain_Values Enumerated_Domain Enumerated_Domain_Value: GAxxxx where xxx is a numeric soil code or xxx = W for WATER Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Attribute: Attribute_Label: MUNAME Attribute_Definition: Map Unit Name (Soil Association from STATSGO.MAPUNIT dBase file) Attribute_Definition_Source: USDA NRCS Attribute_Domain_Values Enumerated_Domain Enumerated_Domain_Value: character soil names Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Attribute: Attribute_Label: MLRA Attribute_Definition: Major Land Resource Area Attribute_Definition_Source: USDA NRCS Attribute_Domain_Values Enumerated_Domain Enumerated_Domain_Value: numeric (see STATSGO Users Manual for MLRA Names Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Overview_Description Entity_and_Attribute_Overview Attribute Accuracy: Attribute accuracy is tested by manual comparison of the source with hard copy plots and/or symbolized display of the map data on an interactive computer graphic system. Selected attributes that cannot be visually verified on plots or on screen are interactively queried and verified on screen. In addition, the attributes are tested against a master set of valid attributes. All attribute data conform to the attribute codes in the signed classification and correlation document and amendments and are current as of the date of digitizing. Map Unit Delineations are closed polygons that are generally geographic mixtures of groups of soils or soils and nonsoil areas. The map unit ID uniquely identifies each closed delineation, map unit. Each map unit ID is linked to a map unit name. The map unit ID is also the key for linking information in the Map Unit Interpretations Record tables. Map Unit Delineations are described by the Map Unit Interpretations Record data base. This attribute data base gives the proportionate extent of the component soils and the properties for each soil. The data base contains both estimated and measured data on the physical and chemical soil properties and soil interpretations for engineering, water management, recreation, agronomic, woodland, range and wildlife uses of the soil. The Soil Map Unit Interpretations Record data base consist of the following relational tables: codes (data base codes) - stores information on all codes used in the data base comp (map unit component) - stores information which will apply to a specific component of a soil map unit compyld (component crop yield) - stores crop yield information for soil map unit components forest (forest understory) - stores information for plant cover as forest understory for soil map unit components interp (interpretation) - stores soil interpretation ratings (both limitation ratings and suitability ratings) to soil map unit components layer (soil layer) - stores characteristics which apply to soil layers for soil map unit components mapunit (map unit) - stores information which applies to all components of a soil map unit plantcom (plant composition) - stores plant symbols and percent of plant composition associated with components of soil map units plantnm (plant name) - stores the common and scientific names for plants used in the data base rsprod (range site production) - stores range site production information for soil map unit components taxclass (taxonomic classification) - stores the taxonomic classification for soils in the data base windbrk (windbreak) - stores information on recommended windbreak plants for soil map unit components wlhabit (wildlife habitat) - stores wildlife habitat information for soil map unit components woodland (woodland) - store information on common indicator trees for soil map unit components woodmgt (woodland management) - stores woodland management information for soil map unit components yldunits (yield units) - stores crop names and the units used to measure yield The above fifteen info tables have been renamed statsgo. (e.g. COMP table is now STATSGO.COMP). This will enable exporting routines to bundle the related attribute tables with the digital spatial data. Entity and Attribute Detail Citation U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1975. Soil Taxonomy: A basic system of soil classification for making and interpreting soil surveys. Soil Conserv. Serv., U.S. Dep. Agric. Handb. 436. U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1992. Keys to Soil Taxonomy. SMSS Technical Monograph No. 19. Soil Surv. Staff, Soil Conserv. Serv. U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1993. National Soil Survey Handbook, title 430-VI. Soil Surv. Staff, Soil Conserv. Serv. U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1993. Soil Survey Manual. Soil Surv. Staff, U.S. Dep. Agric. Handbook 18. U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1993. National Soil Survey Handbook, title 430-VI. Soil Surv. Staff, Soil Conserv. Serv. U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1994. State Soil Geographic (STATSGO) Data Base: Data use information. Soil Conserv. Serv. U.S. Department of Agriculture. State Soil Survey Database Data Dictionary. Soil Conserv. Serv. Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: Not Available --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distribution_Information Distributor Contact_Person_Primary Contact_Person: Jonathan W. Musser Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey Contact_Position: Hydrologist Contact_Address Address_Type: mailing address Address: U.S. Geological Survey 3039 Amwiler Road Suite 130 City: Atlanta State_or_Province: GA Postal_Code: 30360-2824 Country: USA Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 770-903-9199 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: jwmusser@usgs.gov Standard_Order_Process Digital_Form Digital_Transfer_Information Format_Name: ARCE ARC/INFO Export format File_Decompression_Technique: gzip Format_Name: SDTS Spatial Data Transfer Standards (FIPS 173) File_Decompression_Technique: gzip & tar Digital_Transfer_Option Online_Option Computer_Contact_Information Network_Address Network_Resource_Name: http://csat.er.usgs.gov/statewide/layers/statsgo.html --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Metadata_Reference_Section Metadata_Date: 19980504 Metadata_Contact: alhadeff Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata Metadata_Standard_Version: 19940608 Metadata_Time_Convention: Local Time Metadata_Security_Information: Metadata_Security_Classification_System: None Metadata_Security_Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Metadata_Security_Handling_Description: None --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last modified: 2008-03-20