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• <br />Soil Information for All Uses <br />Suitabilities and Limitations for Use <br />The Suitabilities and Limitations for Use section includes various soil interpretations <br />displayed as thematic maps with a summary table for the soil map units in the selected <br />area of interest. A single value or rating for each map unit is generated by aggregating <br />the interpretive ratings of individual map unit components. This aggregation process <br />is defined for each interpretation. <br />Land Management <br />Land management interpretations are tools designed to guide the user in evaluating <br />existing conditions in planning and predicting the soil response to various land <br />management practices, for a variety of land uses, including cropland, forestland, <br />hayland, pastureland, horticulture, and rangeland. Example interpretations include <br />suitability for a variety of irrigation practices, log landings, haul roads and major skid <br />trails, equipment operability, site preparation, suitability for hand and mechanical <br />planting, potential erosion hazard associated with various practices, and ratings for <br />fencing and waterline installation. <br />Potential for Damage by Fire <br />The ratings in this interpretation indicate the potential for damage to nutrient, physical, <br />and biotic soil characteristics by fire. The ratings involve an evaluation of the potential <br />impact of prescribed fires or wildfires that are intense enough to remove the duff layer <br />and consume organic matter in the surface layer. <br />The ratings are based on texture of the surface layer, content of rock fragments and <br />organic matter in the surface layer, thickness of the surface layer, and slope. <br />The ratings are both verbal and numerical. The soils are described as having a "low," <br />"moderate," or "high" potential for this kind of damage. "Low" indicates that fire <br />damage is unlikely. Good performance can be expected, and little or no maintenance <br />is needed. "Moderate" indicates that fire damage can occur because one or more soil <br />properties are less than desirable. Fair performance can be expected, and some <br />maintenance is needed. "High" indicates that fire damage can occur because of one <br />or more soil properties and that overcoming the unfavorable properties requires <br />special design, extra maintenance, and costly alteration. <br />41 <br />