Soil Explorer vs SOILHEALTH

Explore detailed maps of soil properties and landscapes for various U.S. states, as well as small-scale maps of soil distributions for the world. Examine the details for a specific area, but also see the overview for a large area. Learn how features shown on the maps correspond to what you observe in the field. Soil Explorer utilizes detailed soil survey data from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and data and maps from the U. S. Geological Survey and other sources to produce informative, highly engaging maps. These maps are designed to show the complex interrelationships between soil properties and the landscapes in which soils occur.

The app was funded by the Australian National Landcare Programme Smart Farms Small Grants Round 2 to provide essential information about complex aspects of soil health in a digital format. The app includes an eBook (SOILS ARE ALIVE) which is a summary of key points about soil health. Podcasts on the SOILHEALTH app expand on the key points summarised in the eBook. The SOILHEALTH app also includes 7 professionally produced animated videos, each targeting a key area of biological components of soil health. Communication and use of the resources is an ongoing collaboration between The University of Western Australia and South West Catchments Council. Special thanks to Cheryl Rimmer for coordinating the SOILHEALTH app project. In particular Cheryl’s contributions to production of the eBook, the podcasts and to app development are greatly appreciated. Southwest Catchment Council collaborated in delivering the SOILHEALTH app. Peter Clifton’s contribution to this is gratefully acknowledged. Lush Digital produced the 7 SOILHEALTH animations for the SOILHEALTH app. Dotsquares programmed the SOILHEALTH app. Angela Rossen, Paul Rigby and UWA Farm staff Richard and Cathy McKenna made valuable contributions to the eBook. I thank the farming community for inspiration in delivering this resource and The University of Western Australia for underpinning the development of this soil health knowledge base through support of my teaching and research activities over decades. © Lynette K Abbott