scholarly journals Soil classification based on spectral and environmental variables

Author(s):  
Andre Carnieletto Dotto ◽  
Jose A. M. Demattê ◽  
Raphael Viscarra Rossel ◽  
Rodnei Rizzo

Abstract. Given the large volume of soil data, it is now possible to obtain a soil classification using spectral, climate and terrain attributes. The idea was to develop a soil series system, which intends to discriminate soil types according to several variables. This new system was called Soil-Environmental Classification (SEC). The spectra data was applied to obtain information about the soil and climate and terrain variables to simulate the pedologist knowledge in soil-environment interactions. The most appropriate numbers of classes were achieved by the lowest value of AIC applying the clusters analysis, which was defined with 8 classes. A relationship between the SEC and WRB-FAO classes was found. The SEC facilitated the identification of groups with similar characteristics using not only soil but environmental variables for the distinction of the classes. Finally, the conceptual characteristics of the 8 SEC were described. The development of SEC conducted to incorporate applicable soil data for agricultural management, with less interference of personal/subjective/empirical knowledge (such as traditional taxonomic systems), and more reliable on automation measurements by sensors.

SOIL ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 163-177
Author(s):  
Andre Carnieletto Dotto ◽  
Jose A. M. Demattê ◽  
Raphael A. Viscarra Rossel ◽  
Rodnei Rizzo

Abstract. Soil classification has traditionally been developed by combining the interpretation of taxonomic rules that are related to soil information with the pedologist's tacit knowledge. Hence, a more quantitative approach is necessary to characterize soils with less subjectivity. The objective of this study was to develop a soil grouping system based on spectral, climate, and terrain variables with the aim of establishing a quantitative way of classifying soils. Spectral data were utilized to obtain information about the soil, and this information was complemented by climate and terrain variables in order to simulate the pedologist knowledge of soil–environment interactions. We used a data set of 2287 soil profiles from five Brazilian regions. The soil classes of World Reference Base (WRB) system were predicted using the three above-mentioned variables, and the results showed that they were able to correctly classify the soils with an overall accuracy of 88 %. To derive the new system, we applied the spectral, climatic, and terrain variables, which – using cluster analysis – defined eight groups; thus, these groups were not generated by the traditional taxonomic method but instead by grouping areas with similar characteristics expressed by the variables indicated. They were denominated as “soil environment groupings” (SEGs). The SEG system facilitated the identification of groups with equivalent characteristics using not only soil but also environmental variables for their distinction. Finally, the conceptual characteristics of the eight SEGs were described. The new system has been designed to incorporate applicable soil data for agricultural management, to require less interference from personal/subjective/empirical knowledge (which is an issue in traditional taxonomic systems), and to provide more reliable automated measurements using sensors.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria I. Dergacheva ◽  
Alexander O. Makeev

The article presents information about of the work of the International Scientific School on Paleopedology for Young Researchers. This school was conducted for ten years in Siberia in the Altai region, where unique Pleistocene loess-soil series are common and paleosoil horizons and modern soils are present simultaneously in one and the same soil profile. For ten years leading Russian and foreign scientists gave lectures both on fundamental theoretical and applied issues of paleopedology, as well as on a number of topical issues of related sciences, conducted master classes on the basic methods of field study of paleosols, and young researchers discussed their ideas and results. The article lists the main themes of the lectures/ naming Russian and foreign scientists who read them. It also informs about the monograph “Paleosols, the natural environment and methods for their diagnosis”, based on selected lectures at the School from its start until 2014 and published in Russian. Other selected lectures were published in two languages (Russian and English) in the series “Paleosols – a source of information about the Past environment”. The aricle draws attention to the key site "Volodarka" as being of great importance not only for conducting field master classes, but also as a convenient training ground for scientific research, since there occur various soil environment that can serve as models created by nature itself.


2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grant W. Wardell-Johnson ◽  
Ben E. Lawson ◽  
Robert H. Coutts

The recognition and effective portrayal of floristic heterogeneity is a complex issue for land classification. This study in Toohey Forest, south-east Queensland, examines the effects of mapping scale and environmental variables on a floristically heterogeneous area. Current Version 4.1 regional ecosystem mapping at 1: 1 00 000 scale maps Toohey Forest as a single regional ecosystem unit "12.11.5", described as an "open forest complex with Corymbia citriodora, Eucalyptus siderophloia, E. major on metamorphics ± interbedded volcanics". Plant taxa data from 50, 20 x 20 m sites comprising 247 native vascular plant taxa were collected, along with data for 17 environmental variables and 10 species richness categories. A priori site groupings of 1 :12 500 scale vegetation mapping and a geomorphic classifications of the area were examined using cluster analysis (UPGMA, Bray-Curtis Metric, β = –0.1) and ordination (SSH MDS). Biplots of several variables (shrub species richness, total species richness, per cent rock cover, CEC, carbon and phosphorus) were significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with the ordination axes derived from each of the two strata levels and the total taxa, for both geomorphological and vegetation mapping. Several variables (shrub, vine, woody and introduced species richness, and carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, pH and CEC) varied significantly (P < 0.05) across both geomorphic categories and 1:12 500 scale vegetation community mapping. The ongoing reduction in regional ecosystem mapping scale, centred on the use of fine-scale geomorphology mapping, is likely to improve the representation of floristic patterns in heterogeneous environments.


Soil Science ◽  
1963 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
FIRMAN E. BEAR

2018 ◽  
pp. 53-70
Author(s):  
Clea Anne Corsiga ◽  
Rodrigo Badayos ◽  
Pearl Sanchez ◽  
Erlinda Paterno ◽  
Pompe Sta. Cruz

Five major soil series (Guimbalaon, Isabela, Luisiana, San Manuel, and Silay) in Negros Occidental were evaluated to assess the suitability of major soil series grown to sugarcane and identify possible constraints of the soils for sugarcane production. Specifically, the study assessed the morphological, physical, and chemical properties of soils associated with the growing of sugarcane; evaluated the land quality requirements for major soil series grown to sugarcane; determined the suitability of major soil series for sugarcane production; and evaluated the possible soil constraints to sugarcane production. Soil pH, total N, percent organic C, and available P were found highest in Isabela series; exchangeable K in Guimbalaon series; exchangeable Na, Ca, and Mg, extractable Fe, and CEC in San Manuel series; and exchangeable Al in Luisiana series. All of the soil series evaluated were classified as marginally suitable (S3) for sugarcane production, although soil constraints varied across soil series. Topography and wetness were the severe constraints common to all soil series. Limitations on fertility and physical soil characteristics were considered moderate and manageable.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1408-1427
Author(s):  
R. P. S. PASQUAL ◽  
A. C. M. KORMANN ◽  
T. F. DE SOUZA JUNIOR

Abstract Low strain integrity tests in piles are relatively cheap, of quick execution and nondestructive. Despite all these advantages, several variables are involved and the influence of external factors can complicate the interpretation of the results. Between them, the influence of the pile reinforcement can be high lighted. In piles partially reinforced, the difference in density and elastic modulus of the concrete in different parts of the pile and the influence of the process of introducing the reinforcement bars can induce some reflections in the test that can be confused with damage in the pile and, therefore, should be taken into account to analyze the tests results. In this research, the influence of the reinforcement embedded in the piles is analyzed using numerical (FEM) simulations and comparing them with tests made in the field. A new classification of possible damages is proposed based on the analysis of the reflections observed at the end of the reinforcement cage embedded in a pile partially reinforced.


Geosciences ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 206
Author(s):  
Phillip Kreye ◽  
Marlene Gelleszun ◽  
Manickam Somasundaram ◽  
Günter Meon

Soil water simulations on hydrological meso- or macroscale require parameters that describe the physical characteristics of the soil. At these scales, information regarding soil properties is mostly only available on very coarse spatial resolutions with texture based soil characterisations, where it is difficult to select representative soil hydraulic parameters. We improved the parameter estimation by introducing a new soil classification system, which is based on soil hydraulic behaviour in order to realistically reproduce the soil water interaction within meso-scaled hydrological models. The time series of soil water flux were simulated based on one million different parameterisations, which were then utilised for similarity analyses while applying the k-means clustering. The resulting classes show a different pattern when compared to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) texture based classes. Representative time series of water flux representative of the new classes were compared to time series of the USDA texture classification. The new classes show remarkably lower uncertainties. The bandwidth of the time series within a class is orders of magnitudes higher for the USDA system when compared to the new system. The evaluation of similarity of the simulated water flux time series within one and the same class were also clearly better for the new system.


1990 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. K. Robertson

Several charts exist for evaluating soil type from electric cone penetration test (CPT) data. A new system is proposed based on normalized CPT data. The new charts are based on extensive data available from published and unpublished experience worldwide. The new charts are evaluated using data from a 300 m deep borehole with wire-line CPT. Good agreement was obtained between samples and the CPT data using the new normalized charts. Recommendations are provided concerning the location at which to measure pore pressures during cone penetration. Key words: soil classification, cone penetration test, in situ, case history.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document