Using Soils to Delineate South Dakota Physiographic Regions

Authors

Rex R. Johnson, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD
Kenneth F. Higgins, South Dakota State UniversityFollow
Daniel E. Hubbard, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD

Date of this Version

8-1-1995

Comments

Published in Great Plains Research 5:2 (Fall 1995). Copyright © 1995 The Center for Great Plains Studies, University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Used by permission. http://www.unl.edu/plains/publications/GPR/gpr.shtml

Abstract

Physiographic regions are natural landforms valuable for research and management landscape stratification. Accurate regional delineations may increase research sampling and management effectiveness. Soils data in the us. Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) State Soil Geographic Data Base (STATSGO) were used in a Geographic Information System to delineate 13 South Dakota physiographic regions. Soil mapping units were selected within physiographic regions in the STATSGO coverage in ARC/INFO to delineate geographic features. Several modifications to prior South Dakota physiographic region delineations are proposed. Soils data may be used to provide detailed and objective delineations of natural landforms. A map and brief description of South Dakota physiographic regions are presented.