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Vascik_Final_Thesis.pdf (9.29 MB)

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Physiographic Mapping of Ohio’s Soil Systems

Vascik, Anne Marie
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1471809603

Abstract Details

2016, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Environment and Natural Resources.
Previous physiographic soils mapping within Ohio has relied on existing soil survey data and used a pixel based approach. This method is prone to the inherent flaws in these databases such as aggregation of soil units. A pixel based approach can produce errors when the pixel resolution is high and the image objects are large. In order to address these issues, object based image analysis using data layers corresponding to the factors of soil formation was proposed. A case study of Northwest Ohio was selected because of the existence of georeferenced soils data for future validation. First a base DEM was selected by comparing a LiDAR DEM to a USGS DEM. The difference in elevation between these two layers was minimal. The LiDAR DEM had multiple fine scale artifacts that were visible in the DEM derivatives. Minor artifacts in the USGS DEM only appeared in the comparison layer and were the result of the mosaic processes used to generate the data. Because of the fewer artifacts the USGS DEM was selected. This base layer was then used to generate a range of environmental covariates corresponding to the SCORPAN soil forming factors. A dominant soil parent material layer was generated as part of the Isee (Integrating Spatial Education Experiences) program. Terrain attributes were generated using SAGA and a potential evapotranspiration layer using the ArcGIS water balance toolbox. The terrain derivatives including mid-slope position, multiresolution ridge top flatness, multiresolution valley- bottom flatness, slope, and valley depth were selected for segmentation and classification after a literature review. These layers where then introduced into the object based image analysis software eCognition. The input layers were first segmented using multiresolution segmentation that minimized the local heterogeneity within the image objects. The image objects were then classified using expert knowledge into soil systems. The result of this segmentation and classification was a map of Northwest Ohio’s soil systems. Northwest Ohio was classified into eleven soil systems (and water). The soil systems were then compared to the Isee dominant soil parent material map, major land resource areas, quaternary geology, and Ohio soil catena regions. The final Northwest Ohio soil systems map will be used for continuing research in soil disaggregation. This map is also of use to natural resource professionals as an overview to soil conditions within a large study area. The soil systems map also gives the general public an easy to understand way to determine where they fit into Ohio’s soil landscape. Finally, the Northwest Ohio soil system map adds to the evidence that object based image analysis and the factors of soil formation can be used to generate a broad scale soils map.
Brian Slater, Dr. (Advisor)
Robert Gates, Dr. (Committee Member)
Kaiguang Zhao, Dr. (Committee Member)
Sakthi Subburaylu, Dr. (Committee Member)
102 p.
Soil Sciences
Physiographic Mapping, Ohio Soil Systems

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Vascik, A. M. (2016). Physiographic Mapping of Ohio’s Soil Systems [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1471809603

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Vascik, Anne. Physiographic Mapping of Ohio’s Soil Systems. 2016. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1471809603.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Vascik, Anne. "Physiographic Mapping of Ohio’s Soil Systems." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1471809603

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1471809603
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© 2016, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.