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The soil health concept has evolved over the past several decades, recognizing that the response of dynamic soil properties to management is dependent on site‐specific factors. The Soil Health Assessment Protocol and Evaluation (SHAPE) tool provides scores and benchmark values by forming soil peer groups based on site‐specific, climate‐edaphic characteristics. Data for model development were compiled from the Cornell Soil Health Laboratory and the Kellogg Soil Survey Laboratory databases. The SHAPEv1.0 interpretation curves produce scores between 0% and 100% for measured laboratory values that reflect the quantile within a population conditional cumulative distribution function along with measures of uncertainty. The original SHAPE tool was developed for soil organic carbon and has been expanded to include two wet aggregate stability methods, permanganate oxidizable organic carbon, autoclaved citrate extractable protein, and 4‐day microbial respiration. In addition, SHAPE provides site‐specific benchmark values at user‐defined percentiles within a given soil peer group. The difference between the actual measured value and the selected benchmark value represents the soil health opportunity gap. Case studies in Missouri and Texas show that the SHAPE scoring curves are sensitive to land‐use and management practices across multiple soil types and provide a regionally relevant interpretation of key soil health indicators. Core Ideas: Climate and edaphic factors are relevant to soil health data interpretation.Soil health assessment protocol and evaluation (SHAPE) provides site‐specific soil health scores and benchmarks.SHAPE accounts for inherent factors affecting soil health indicators.SHAPE scoring curves are sensitive to land management practices.SHAPE is a useful tool for landowner soil health assessments and interpretations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) and its natural resources research. CEAP's accomplishments which are related to natural resources research include the establishment of multiple watershed assessment studies regarding the effects of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation programs and the coordination of USDA agency efforts in measuring the results and effectiveness of public investment in different conservation practices. Its natural resources researches are also conducted in the watersheds of Iowa, Missouri, and Mississippi.