Life Sciences Library

Soil surveys contain soil maps and interpretations that are used in giving technical assistance to farmers and ranchers; in guiding decisions about soil selection, use, and management; and in planning research and disseminating the results of research. The surveys also are used in educational programs about soil use and conservation.

Online Information:

• Pennsylvania SoilMap is a gateway to soils data for the state.
• The Twelve Soil Orders (soil taxonomy information from the University of Idaho).
• The National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides links to:
  • Web Soil Survey provides soil data and information produced by the National Cooperative Soil Survey. 
  • Online Soil Surveys (by state).
  • List of print Soil Surveys (by state).
  • Official Soil Series Descriptions (by series name)
  • General Soil Information (scientifically based soil information for the public)
  • Soil Survey Manual (technical information).
• Soil Maps of Europe from the European Digital Archive on Soil Maps of the World.

Print Information:

Use The CAT to search for print copies of Pennsylvania Soil Surveys

• do a keyword search on soil survey and <county name>.
• These may be available at other Penn State Library locations, or in the general Paterno stacks, and can be checked out for your normal loan period.

The Life Sciences Library has print copies of Soil Surveys for all Pennsylvania counties. One copy is held behind the Life Sciences Reference Desk on the Fourth Floor of Paterno. These are checked out using your ID, must remain in the library, and be returned within 2 hours.

Other print copies of surveys for Pennsylvania counties, plus all those of counties in other states, are held in the Soil Survey collection. This is in the front left corner of the Life Sciences Library (from the Reference Desk, turn left and look for blue labels on the stacks). These surveys are organized alphabetically by state, then by county. Sometimes two neighboring counties are found in one survey. If you are unable to locate the county you need, ask for help at the Life Sciences Reference Desk.