Ohio State University researchers, in partnership with the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), are conducting a statewide effort to revisit and re-sample historic National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS) soil characterization sites across Ohio. To support this project, the research team is asking Ohio farmers and landowners to complete a short online survey indicating whether their property contains one of these legacy sampling points and specifying their willingness to be contacted by a member of the OSU team.
The NCSS sampling locations, originally sampled decades ago, provide an important baseline for understanding how Ohio’s soils have changed over time. Resampling these locations will help scientists track changes in dynamic soil properties and broader landscape trends that affect agriculture, conservation, and land management.
“Many of these original sampling points fall on privately owned agricultural land,” Project Lead and OSU Associate Professor of Soil and Environmental Mineralogy Scott Demyan said. “We’re hoping to reconnect with landowners and ask for their voluntary participation. Even allowing access to a single sampling point can significantly improve our understanding of long-term soil changes across the state, especially for on-farm management.”
Farmers and landowners who may have had NCSS sampling points on their property are encouraged to complete the survey, which contains a map of all possible sampling locations and gathers basic information which will help the research team determine eligibility and follow-up needs.
Participation does not commit anyone to allowing sampling. It simply indicates interest.
Website Link: https://senr.osu.edu/research/sentinel-sites-soil-change
Survey Link: https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6X4OUBiKmSEhylM
For more information about the project, please contact:
M. Scott Demyan – The Ohio State University
Demyan.4@osu.edu | 614-688-3349