Answer to Question 1Mapping a soil begins with a preliminary study of any existing older soil surveys and documents such
as aerial photographs. For detailed mapping, a soil scientist walks the land and surveys it, frequently
stopping to probe the soil. By studying the soil profile, each place where the land was probed can be
placed in the correct soil series. The surveyor notes slope, erosion, and other interesting features. With
this information, the surveyor draws the soil series or phase on a base map. The NCRS uses aerial
photographs for base maps because they show landscape features. Maps show the boundaries of the
mapping units, with each unit identified by codes. The Global Positioning System (GPS) has become
an important tool in field mapping, allowing the surveyor to precisely identify his or her location much
more readily and accurately than by landmarks on an aerial photograph. A Geographic Information
System (GIS) can process and organize the data and generate a variety of maps and reports.
Answer to Question 2ANS: horizons
