Soils are a complex integration of mineral material, organic matter, water, air and living organisms. They differ from region to region and can even be different from field to field or even within one field [you can find more details about Nova Scotia soils in this helpful overview report].

Soil surveys have been published by the Federal Government for most agricultural areas, and surrounding regions, all across Canada dating back for many years. Soil maps are geographical representations illustrating the various diversity of soil types and/or soil properties a region. Typically they are created from data collected during a soil survey inventory.

The Canadian Soil Information Service (CanSIS) is an authoritative source of soil data and land resource information for Canada. They maintain a national soil database that contains information about soil, landscape, and climates. Detailed soil survey reports contain comprehensive soil information, that enhance, update, and expand on information contained in older reports.

Soil maps are a great asset in agriculture, with land use planning and help provide a graphic representation of the geomorphology of the landscape.

These days it is more common to find geographic data available then it is to find cartographic products, and thanks to open data policies, the Government is making soil data from updated soil surveys available to the public so people can create their own maps. As web mapping applications become more abundant we also start to see a trend of moving away from detailed paper maps, towards an online interactive environment featuring all of Canadas data stitched together.

Follow the links below for information on how to download various soil maps, soil related data sets and reports featuring Pictou County.

[source: Canadian Soil Information Service ]