Limitations and Appropriate Use
Nothing is better than field observation for identifying the soils and geologic materials of a study area. In interpreting soils and sediment, nothing takes the place of a thorough understanding of geologic and pedologic principles of mapping, description, and classification.
Well-informed use of Ackmore to Zwingle requires that users consider information in addition to the LSA classifications provided here. Additional considerations include but are not limited to:
- the competing and geographically associated series listed in the OSDs
- the specific soil mapping units (SMUs) mapped by the NRCS at the location of interest to the user
- the properties and geometry of other SMUs within and near the project area
Other map data must also be examined, including but not limited to:
- Iowa Geological Survey STATEMAP products
- topographic maps
- aerial imagery
- published maps, descriptions, and studies from the geologic and geoarchaeologic literature
Ackmore to Zwingle can assist with archaeology project planning and desktop analysis (e.g. Layzell and Mandel 2019).
It should not be used as a primary source for geologic mapping of Iowa landscapes. The classifications provide an approximation of the surface geologic materials that might be expected at a location where a given soil series is mapped. If the age of the LSA is estimated, it may provide only rough guidance on the expected age and depth of intact archaeological deposits.
The OSD description summaries in the table are a summary of the first paragraph as written by the NRCS. You must read the entire OSD to understand its content completely.
When interpreting the mapped soils of a project area it is essential to review the competing soil series and geographically associated soils, these are listed in the OSD.
The soil series attribute data in the table was manually transcribed from the official descriptions by Ryan Lange. If you find errors, please email ryan-lange@uiowa.edu.
The University of Iowa, OSA, and OSA's partners and funding sources are not responsible for interpretations made from, conclusions based on, or uses made of, the information contained in Ackmore to Zwingle.