Topoclimate Soil Survey
The Topoclimate survey studied the soil to a depth of one metre, as soil properties to this depth have a significant influence on most land uses. Knowledge of soil properties can reduce or avoid the negative impacts on the environment and on farm productivity of soil-related problems such as compaction, nutrient leaching, erosion, organic matter losses and waterlogging. There is no such thing as a poor soil, just poor knowledge of its capabilities.
Soils are classified as in their natural state, without any allowance for the modifying impacts of man's activities and management practices such as tile drainage, compaction, etc. A soil classified as a poorly drained soil may well be modified by artificial drainage to provide excellent drainage. So you should take the effect of modifications into account when using the soil information.
Topoclimate Soil maps
The soil maps were first published as individual printed sheets, limited supplies of which are still available on request (call Nick Round-Turner on 03 211 1413 or email) but are now also available on line on Environment Southland's website. Use the links below to learn more about reading and understanding the Topoclimate soil maps or to browse the interactive maps on line.
Soil Information Sheets
Crops for Southland has produced a Soil Information Sheet for most of the 170 soil types that were mapped by Topoclimate South in the 1:50,000 soil survey of Southland's soil resources. The aim of the Soil Information Sheet is to summarise the soil survey's technical data and present it in a user-friendly form. The information sheets are designed to inform Southland people about the properties and sustainable land use potential of the soils in their region.
Soil Information Sheets are available on-line as PDF documents. You can order printed copies by email or by calling Nick Round-Turner at Venture Southland on 03 211 1413.
In addition to the soils for which Information Sheets are available, there are 26 relatively minor soils whose salient features are summarised here.
Soil Technical Data Sheets
For the more technically minded, there is also a set of Soil Technical Data Sheets. This series includes the same basic information as the Soil Information Sheet series, but provides more detailed physical and chemical information on each soil horizon.