Using historic soil survey data to map water erosion hazard for land-use planning in Nova Scotia

Abstract

A fine-scale digital soil map layer for Nova Scotia was combined with historic soil survey information and digital elevation (DEM) data to generate a new water erosion hazard map based on inherent soil erodibility and slope class. Results showed approximately 62% of Nova Scotia has low erosion hazard, 33% has moderate hazard, and 5% has high hazard. The erosion hazard map was subsequently used in a provincial watershed assessment program (NSWAP) to map potential water quality stressors related to land-use patterns on erodible soils. This work is an example of how historic soil survey data can be utilized to create new information for land-use planning and environmental assessment.