WoSIS metadata

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Full name:

World Soil Information Service (WoSIS)

Version:

WoSIS latest

Organization or Author:

Abstract:

The aim of the World Soil Information Service (WoSIS) is to serve quality-assessed, georeferenced soil data (point, polygon, and grid) to the international community upon their standardisation and harmonisation. So far, the focus has been on developing procedures for legacy point data with special attention to the selection of soil analytical and physical properties considered in the GlobalSoilMap specifications (e.g. organic carbon, soil pH, soil texture (sand, silt, and clay), coarse fragments ( < 2 mm), cation exchange capacity, electrical conductivity, bulk density, and water holding capacity). Profile data managed in WoSIS were contributed by a wide range of soil data providers; the data have been described, sampled, and analysed according to methods and standards in use in the originating countries. Hence, special attention was paid to measures for soil data quality and the standardisation of soil property definitions, soil property values, and soil analytical method descriptions.

At present, WoSIS_latest contains standardized data for 228,000 profiles. The number of measured data for each property varies between profiles and with depth, generally depending on the purpose of the initial studies. Further, in most source data sets, there are fewer data for soil physical as opposed to soil chemical attributes and there are fewer measurements for deeper than for superficial horizons. Generally, limited quality information is associated with the various source data.

Service location:

Geographical Coverage:

Global

GIS Data Type:

Vector - Point

Spatial resolution:

-

Publication date:

2023-12-20

Reference period-start:

1918-??-??

Reference period-stop

2022-??-??

License:

WoSIS data holds different licenses on a record-level basis.

This information is not available for few of the records. ISRIC is working on releasing an updated version of the dataset

Key Soil Properties:

Bulk Density, Cation Exchange Capacity, Coarse Fragments, Clay, Electrical Conductivity, Nitrogen, Organic Carbon Content, pH, Phosphorus, sand, silt, Calcium Carbonate, Carbon Total, Water Retention Gravimetric, Water Retention Volumetric

(Additional information not directly available in this platform: FAO soil classification, Soil Classification, Soil taxonomy, WRB Soil Classification)

Soil deph coverage (cm):

Up to 3292 cm

Soil Functions:

-

Soil Threats:

-

Citation:

Calisto, L., de Sousa, L.M., Batjes, N.H., 2023. Standardised soil profile data for the world (WoSIS snapshot – December 2023), https://doi.org/10.17027/isric-wdcsoils-20231130

Soil parameters overview

Original Soil Parameter Unit of measurement Description Analytical method
BDF133 kg/dm3 Bulk density fine earth 33 kPa : Bulk density of the fine earth fractions, equilibrated at 33 kPa Bulk density of the fine earth fractions, equilibrated at 33 kPa
BDFIAD kg/dm3 Bulk density fine earth - air dry : Bulk density of the fine earth, air dried Bulk density of the fine earth, air dried
BDFIFM kg/dm3 Bulk density fine earth - field moist : Bulk density of the fine earth fraction, field moist Bulk density of the fine earth fraction, field moist
BDFIOD kg/dm3 Bulk density fine earth - over dry : Bulk density of the fine earth fraction, oven dry Bulk density of the fine earth fraction, oven dry
BDWS33 kg/dm3 Bulk density whole soil - 33kPa : Bulk density of the whole soil including coarse fragments, equilibrated at 33 kPa Bulk density of the whole soil including coarse fragments, equilibrated at 33 kPa
BDWSOD kg/dm3 Bulk density whole soil - oven dry : Bulk density of the whole soil including coarse fragments, oven dry Bulk density of the whole soil including coarse fragments, oven dry
СЕСРН7 cmolc/kg Cation cxchange capacity - buffered at pH7 : Capacity of Capacity of the fine earth fraction to hold exchangeable cations, estimated by buffering the soil at 'pH7' Capacity of Capacity of the fine earth fraction to hold exchangeable cations, estimated by buffering the soil at 'pH7'
СЕСРН8 cmolc/kg Cation cxchange capacity - buffered at рН8 : Capacity of the fine earth fraction to hold exchangeable cations, estimated by buffering the soil at 'pH8 Capacity of the fine earth fraction to hold exchangeable cations, estimated by buffering the soil at 'pH8
CFGR g/100g Coarse fragments gravimetric total : Gravimetric content of coarse fragments in the whole soil Gravimetric content of coarse fragments in the whole soil
CFVO cm3/100cm3 Coarse fragments volumetric total : Volumetric content of coarse fragments in the whole soil Volumetric content of coarse fragments in the whole soil
CLAY g/100g Clay total : Gravimetric content of &lt; X mm soil material in the fine earth fraction (e.g. X = 0.002 mm as specified in the analytical method description) Gravimetric content of &lt; X mm soil material in the fine earth fraction (e.g. X = 0.002 mm as specified in the analytical method description)
ЕСЕС cmolc/kg Effective cation exchange capacity : Capacity of the fine earth fraction to hold exchangeable cations at the pH of the soil (ECEC). Conventionally approximated by summation of exchangeable bases (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, and Na+) plus 1 N KCl exchangeable acidity (Al3+ and H+) in acidic soils. Capacity of the fine earth fraction to hold exchangeable cations at the pH of the soil (ECEC). Conventionally approximated by summation of exchangeable bases (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, and Na+) plus 1 N KCl exchangeable acidity (Al3+ and H+) in acidic soils.
ELCO20 dS/m Electrical conductivity - ratio 1:2 : Ability of a 1:2 soil water extract to conduct electrical current Electrical conductivity - ratio 1:2 : Ability of a 1:2 soil water extract to conduct electrical current
ELCO25 dS/m Electrical conductivity - ratio 1:2.5 : Ability of a 1:2.5 soil water extract to conduct electrical current Ability of a 1:2.5 soil water extract to conduct electrical current
ELCO50 dS/m Electrical conductivity - ratio 1:5 : Ability of a 1:5 soil water extract to conduct electrical current Ability of a 1:5 soil water extract to conduct electrical current
ELCOSP dS/m Electrical conductivity - saturated paste : Ability of a water saturated soil paste to conduct electrical current (ECe) Ability of a water saturated soil paste to conduct electrical current (ECe)
NITKJD g/kg Total nitrogen : The sum of total Kjeldahl nitrogen (ammonia, organic and reduced nitrogen) and nitrate-nitrite The sum of total Kjeldahl nitrogen (ammonia, organic and reduced nitrogen) and nitrate-nitrite
ORGC g/kg Organic carbon : Gravimetric content of organic carbon in the fine earth fraction Gravimetric content of organic carbon in the fine earth fraction
PHAQ - pH H20 : A measure of the acidity or alkalinity in soils, defined as the negative logarithm (base 10) of the activity of hydronium ions (H+) in water A measure of the acidity or alkalinity in soils, defined as the negative logarithm (base 10) of the activity of hydronium ions (H+) in water
PHCA - pH CaCl2 : A measure of the acidity or alkalinity in soils, defined as the negative logarithm (base 10) of the activity of hydronium ions (H+) in a CaCl2 solution, as specified in the analytical method descriptions A measure of the acidity or alkalinity in soils, defined as the negative logarithm (base 10) of the activity of hydronium ions (H+) in a CaCl2 solution, as specified in the analytical method descriptions
PHKC - pH KCl : A measure of the acidity or alkalinity in soils, defined as the negative logarithm (base 10) of the activity of hydronium ions (H+) in a KCl solution, as specified in the analytical method descriptions pH KCl : A measure of the acidity or alkalinity in soils, defined as the negative logarithm (base 10) of the activity of hydronium ions (H+) in a KCl solution, as specified in the analytical method descriptions
PHNF - pH NaF : A measure of the acidity or alkalinity in soils, defined as the negative logarithm (base 10) of the activity of hydronium ions (H+) in a NaF solution, as specified in the analytical method descriptions A measure of the acidity or alkalinity in soils, defined as the negative logarithm (base 10) of the activity of hydronium ions (H+) in a NaF solution, as specified in the analytical method descriptions
PHETB1 [PHPBYI] mg/kg Phosphorus (P) - Bray I : Measured according to the Bray-I method, a combination of HCl and NH4F to remove easily acid soluble P forms, largely Al- and Fe-phosphates (for acid soils) Phosphorus (P) - Bray I : Measured according to the Bray-I method, a combination of HCl and NH4F to remove easily acid soluble P forms, largely Al- and Fe-phosphates (for acid soils)
PHETM3 [PHPMH3] mg/kg Phosphorus (P) - Mehlich 3 : Measured according to the Mehlich-3 extractant, a combination of acids (acetic [HOAc] and nitric [HNO3]), salts (ammonium fluoride [NH4F] and ammonium nitrate [NH4 NO3]), and the chelating agent ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA); considered suitable for removing P and other elements in acid and neutral soils Measured according to the Mehlich-3 extractant, a combination of acids (acetic [HOAc] and nitric [HNO3]), salts (ammonium fluoride [NH4F] and ammonium nitrate [NH4 NO3]), and the chelating agent ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA); considered suitable for removing P and other elements in acid and neutral soils
PHETOL [PHPOLS] mg/kg Phosphorus (P) - Olsen : Retention measured according to the New Zealand method Phosphorus (P) - Olsen : Retention measured according to the New Zealand method
PHPTOT mg/kg Phosphorus (P) - total : Determined with a very strong acid (aqua regia and sulfuric acid/nitric acid) Determined with a very strong acid (aqua regia and sulfuric acid/nitric acid)
PHPWSL mg/kg Phosphorus (P) - water soluble : Measured in 1:x soil:water solution (mainly determines P in dissolved forms) Measured in 1:x soil:water solution (mainly determines P in dissolved forms)
SAND g/100g Sand total : Y to Z mm fraction of the fine earth fraction; Z upper limit as specified in the analytical method description for the sand fraction (e.g. Y = 0.05 mm to Z= 2 mm) Y to Z mm fraction of the fine earth fraction; Z upper limit as specified in the analytical method description for the sand fraction (e.g. Y = 0.05 mm to Z= 2 mm)
SILT g/100g Silt total : X to Y mm fraction of the fine earth fraction; X upper limit as specified in the analytical method description for the clay fraction (e.g. X= 0.002 mm to Y = 0.05 mm) X to Y mm fraction of the fine earth fraction; X upper limit as specified in the analytical method description for the clay fraction (e.g. X= 0.002 mm to Y = 0.05 mm)
TCEQ g/kg Calcium carbonate equivalent total : The content of carbonate in a liming material or calcareous soil calculated as if all of the carbonate is in the form of CaCO3 (in the fine earth fraction); also known as inorganic carbon The content of carbonate in a liming material or calcareous soil calculated as if all of the carbonate is in the form of CaCO3 (in the fine earth fraction); also known as inorganic carbon
TOTC g/kg Total carbon : Gravimetric content of organic carbon and inorganic carbon in the fine earth fraction Total carbon : Gravimetric content of organic carbon and inorganic carbon in the fine earth fraction
WG0006 g/100g Water retention gravimetric - 6 kPa : Soil moisture content by weight, at tension 6 kPa (pF 1.8) Soil moisture content by weight, at tension 6 kPa (pF 1.8)
WG0010 g/100g Water retention gravimetric - 10 kPa : Soil moisture content by weight, at tension 10 kPa (pF 2.0) Soil moisture content by weight, at tension 10 kPa (pF 2.0)
WG0033 g/100g Water retention gravimetric - 33 kPa : Soil moisture content by weight, at tension 33 kPa (pF 2.0) Soil moisture content by weight, at tension 33 kPa (pF 2.0)
WG0100 g/100g Water retention gravimetric - 100 kPa : Soil moisture content by weight, at tension 100 kPa (pF 3.0) Soil moisture content by weight, at tension 100 kPa (pF 3.0)
WG0200 g/100g Water retention gravimetric - 200 kPa : Soil moisture content by weight, at tension 200 kPa (pF 3.3) Soil moisture content by weight, at tension 200 kPa (pF 3.3)
WG0500 g/100g Water retention gravimetric - 500 kPa : Soil moisture content by weight, at tension 500 kPa (pF 3.7) Soil moisture content by weight, at tension 500 kPa (pF 3.7)
WG1500 g/100g Water retention gravimetric - 1500 kPa : Soil moisture content by weight, at tension 1500 kPa (pF 4.2) Soil moisture content by weight, at tension 1500 kPa (pF 4.2)
WV0010 cm3/100cm3 Water retention volumetric - 10 kPa : Soil moisture content by volume, at tension 10 kPa (pF 2.0) Soil moisture content by volume, at tension 10 kPa (pF 2.0)
WV0033 cm3/100cm3 Water retention volumetric - 33 kPa : Soil moisture content by volume, at tension 33 kPa (pF 2.0) Soil moisture content by volume, at tension 33 kPa (pF 2.0)
WV0100 cm3/100cm3 Water retention volumetric - 100 kPa : Soil moisture content by volume, at tension 100 kPa (pF 3.0) Soil moisture content by volume, at tension 100 kPa (pF 3.0)
WV0200 cm3/100cm3 Water retention volumetric - 200 kPa : Soil moisture content by volume, at tension 200 kPa (pF 3.3) Soil moisture content by volume, at tension 200 kPa (pF 3.3)
WV0500 cm3/100cm3 Water retention volumetric - 500 kPa : Soil moisture content by volume, at tension 500 kPa (pF 3.7) Soil moisture content by volume, at tension 500 kPa (pF 3.7)
WV1500 cm3/100cm3 Water retention volumetric - 1500 kPa : Soil moisture content by volume, at tension 1500 kPa (pF 4.2) Soil moisture content by volume, at tension 1500 kPa (pF 4.2)
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