General Soil Information
Encyclopedia of soil Science by Publication Date: 2008a comprehensive, alphabetical treatment of basic soil science in a single volume.
- Soil Health InformationScientifically based soil information for the public.
- The Twelve Soil Orderssoil taxonomy information from the University of Idaho.
- NRCS Soils Websitedelivering science-based soil information including soil biology, classification, soil mapping tools and access to online soil surveys.
- Soil Science Society of Americaa professional society providing information about soils in relation to crop production, environmental quality, ecosystem sustainability, bioremediation, waste management, recycling, and wise land use.
Includes a Careers section. - Pennsylvania Association of Professional Soil Scientistsfosters the profession of soil classification, mapping, and interpretations, and provides information concerning soil science as it contributes to the protection of the environment and general human welfare
Soil Surveys
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:
- USDA Web Soil SurveyThe Web Soil Survey (WSS) provides the user with access to USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) soil maps and data through Soil Data Explorer interface.
- Soil Surveys by StatePDFs of older surveys
- Soil Classification InformationSoil taxonomy and including official soil descriptions
- Soil Survey Field and Laboratory Methods Manual (SSIR 51) (PDF)a standard reference for soil sampling strategies and assessment techniques
- National Soil Survey HandbookOperational and procedural guidance for conducting the NRCS portion of the National Cooperative Soil Survey program.
- European Soil PortalSoil Data and Information Systems from the European Soil Data Center
​Print Information:
- Catalog (Penn State University Libraries catalog) This link opens in a new windowdo a keyword search on soil survey and county name.
- Inventory of Published Soil Surveys of the United StatesUseful for identifying when, or if, a printed survey was published for a specific area of the United States during the years 1899 to 2005.