United States Department of Agriculture
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What is NASIS?

NASIS (the National Soil Information System) is a tool to help you create and maintain soil surveys. It takes advantage of database technology to provide an automated means for storing all information about soil surveys. NASIS maintains the hierarchical structure of soil survey data through the use of table-oriented editors, but allows for new flexibility in creating and maintaining soil survey data.

“NASIS allows me to do my job better in less time.”

“The NASIS software allows me to concentrate on soil science and the quality of my data instead of computer science.”

“Having the computer facilitate more intensive data validations and cross-checking has resulted in improved data quality.”

NASIS can meet needs from ongoing progressive soil surveys to MLRA updates and general soil maps for soil survey customers. The major objectives for NASIS are:

  • To provide a dynamic and flexible system
    • For environmental evaluation model requirements, including water quality
    • Responsive to new data element needs
       
  • To support conservation assistance through improved data quality
    • Built-in algorithms for data population and validation
    • Facilitation of cross comparisons
    • Facilitation of correlation
       
  • To provide improved automated mapunit management
    • Correlate mapunits in an on-going survey
    • Join mapunits between survey areas
    • Share mapunits between projects (e.g., and MLRA survey and county subsets)
    • Maintain multiple mapunit legends (survey area, state, MLRA)
    • Maintain complete correlation records
    • Maintain complete mapunit data for mapunits correlated out of the survey area legend

NASIS and SSSD

NASIS not only replaced the State Soil Survey Database (SSSD) program, but goes significantly beyond SSSD’s capabilities.

  • NASIS has an easy-to-use graphical interface that shields you from the complexities of the software.
  • NASIS uses an improved database and data model that allows you to more accurately model soil relationships.
  • NASIS encompasses major new concepts, such as RVs (Representative Values), horizons, separate area and legend data, and data mapunits.
  • NASIS includes a comprehensive online help system, allowing you to access documentation quickly and easily.