Abstract:
This study is concerned with the evaluation of certain natural resources of a representative area of Randolph County, Indiana. A 520 acre farm under one unit of management constitutes the study area. This unit, containing several different soil types, provides a good cross section of an area of East - Central Indiana. Soils of the area range from well to poorly drained; from nearly level to strongly sloping; and from slightly to severely eroded.Resource Inventories of soil, water, mineral and vegetation, were made, analyzed and evaluated. Predictions of soil behavior (interpretation) were determined for various uses from the evaluation. Uses, depicted in maps and tables, included agriculture, urban development, hardwood woodland production, mineral potential (gravel and sand) and ground water yields.Analysis shows that the study area is well suited for agricultural useage and could be managed to provide a definite return for money invested. The area is both well suited and poorly suited for urban development. Sizeable areas of gravel and sand occur near the surface. Recreation enterprizes and hardwood woodland production are other excellent economic possibilities for this area along with the good availability of ground water