39  Pedon Entry Training Meeting Minutes

Date: January 13, 2025

39.1 Attendees

  • Nora Pearson
  • Genevieve Saldibar
  • Ava McCune
  • Elyse McKeown
  • Ethan Gotsch
  • Annie Steuer

39.2 Project Background

Brief overview of Twin Cities soil survey update project due to outdated data, particularly in urban areas mapped only as “urban land” or “udorthents.”

39.3 Survey123 Data Entry Process

39.3.1 Required Setup & Documents

  • Survey123 desktop application
  • Access to “Pedon Description v1.9” survey
  • Box shared folder
    • Pedon Entry Tracking spreadsheet
    • Scanned description sheets
    • Notes document for questions/comments

39.3.2 Before Starting Entry

  1. Mark the pedon as “in progress” in tracking spreadsheet
  2. Note your initials and date started
  3. Open corresponding scanned description sheet
  4. Create new survey in Survey123 using “Collect” feature

39.3.3 Page-by-Page Entry Guide

39.3.3.1 Page 1: Location Information

  • Enter describer initials from sheet
  • Skip location buttons (may crash application)
  • Set coordinate source as “auto populated from survey grade GPS”
  • Enter date from sheet
  • Input area symbol (3-digit county FIPS code)
  • Region office should be NC-ALB (North Central - Albert Lea)
  • Enter coordinates manually from field data export
  • Leave datum/accuracy/GPS PDOP blank

39.3.3.2 Page 2: Site Information

  • Leave series name blank initially (will fill after classification)
  • Purpose: “Soil Survey Inventory”
  • Leave classification blank initially
  • Moisture regime: Usually “Udic” (or “Aquic” for wetlands)
  • Weather/temperature: Enter if recorded, otherwise leave blank
  • Land cover: Choose from dropdown based on field notes
  • Geomorphic environment: Based on landscape position
    • Usually glacial or fluvial in study area
    • Reference field notes and topographic position
    • Can leave blank if uncertain

39.3.3.3 Page 3: Soil Classification

  • Particle size class: Based on control section (usually 25-100cm)
  • Mineralogy: Usually “mixed”
  • CEC activity: Usually “superactive”
  • Tax moisture: “Udic” or “Aquic”
  • Determine soil order through Keys to Taxonomy
  • Fill in subgroup classification
  • Return to Page 2 to enter final classification

39.3.3.4 Page 4: Horizon Data

For each horizon:

  1. Observation method
    • Usually “Auger, Dutch”
    • “Pit, small” for upper horizons if noted
  2. Horizon designation and depths
    • Enter as recorded on sheet
    • Leave boundary information blank
  3. Colors
    • Enter moist colors by default
    • Can include up to 5 colors if needed
    • Note color percentages in horizon notes
  4. Texture
    • Enter from field sheet abbreviations
    • Note modifiers if present (artifactual, gravelly, mucky)
    • Include percentages in notes if multiple textures
  5. Structure
    • Grade (weak, moderate, strong)
    • Size (fine, medium, coarse)
    • Type (granular, blocky, etc.)
    • Note secondary structures in horizon notes
    • Reference the Field Book for Describing Soils V3.0 (page 2-53)
  6. Consistence
    • Moist consistence only
    • Friable or very friable were most commonly used
  7. Additional Features
    • Redox features if present
    • Concentrations/depletions
    • Roots and pores
    • Artifacts if present

39.3.3.5 Page 5: Vegetation Data

  • Enter vegetation types from field sheet
  • Use NRCS plant symbols
  • Include common names
  • Enter ground cover percentages
  • Omit thatch/bare soil entries

39.3.3.6 Page 6-7: Notes and Review

  • Enter miscellaneous field notes
  • Review entries for completeness
  • Save or submit survey

39.3.4 Special Considerations

39.3.4.1 Artifacts Documentation

  • Enter in appropriate horizon section
  • Record type (e.g., “potsherd” for ceramics)
  • Include size and quantity
  • Note all additional details in horizon notes

39.3.4.2 Particle Size Control Section

  • Usually 25-100cm unless specified
  • Changes if argillic horizon present
  • Calculate average rock fragment percentage
  • Document reasoning in notes

39.3.4.3 Missing Data Guidelines

  • Leave fields blank if not recorded
  • Don’t estimate or interpolate values
  • Note missing data in comments
  • Flag issues for NRCS review

39.4 Quality Control Process

  1. Data entered in Survey123
  2. Exported to Excel
  3. Reviewed by NRCS soil scientists
  4. Uploaded to NASIS (National Soil Information System)

39.5 Documentation Requirements

  • Create new bullet point in notes document for each pedon
  • Document questions, assumptions, and issues
  • Note any classification reasoning
  • Record missing or unclear data

39.6 Resources & Support

  • Field Book for Describing Soils (linked in guide)
  • Keys to Soil Taxonomy
  • NRCS Plants Database
  • Contact Nora or Gen with questions

39.7 Action Items

  1. Team to begin data entry using tracking spreadsheet
  2. Document all questions in notes document
  3. Nora to resolve remaining access issues
  4. Regular check-ins to address common issues

The meeting emphasized the importance of careful documentation and attention to detail in the data entry process, with multiple quality control steps and resources available for support.