Soil Landscape Studies in Iowa—1950s and 1960s

Abstract

Beginning in the 1950s with the initial development of the new soil classification system, there was also an increased interest in the relationship of soils to landscape evolution. This approach is summarized in the following statement: “Soils, then, are landscapes as well as profiles.” Dr. Robert Ruhe was hired by Dr. Guy Smith to be lead investigator of this effort. The following article summarizes these research efforts in Iowa for the 1950s and 1960s.

A Pedological Tale IV: Conversations with Turtle, Bear, and Eagle

“…At the same time, soil scientists were gaining a better understanding of the relationships between soil distribution and slope characteristics (e.g., soil landscape). In the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, regional soil landscape projects were carried out in various parts of the United States (Nettleton and Lynn, 2008a, 2008b; Fenton 2010), with the goal of understanding soil landscape relationships to improve the speed, utility, and accuracy of soil survey. These regional studies were critical in the birth and acceleration of modern soil survey (Indorante et al, 1996).…”