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.
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:
Soil Properties:
Phosphorus, Bulk Density, Cation Exchange Capacity, silt, Nitrogen, Clay, sand, Coarse Fragments, Organic Carbon Content, Carbon Total, pH, Electrical Conductivity, Calcium Carbonate, Water Retention Gravimetric, Water Retention Volumetric
Soil deph coverage (cm):
0-3292 cm
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
Overview
| Name | Original name | Unit of measurement | Description | Analytical method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk Density | 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 |
| Bulk Density | 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 |
| Bulk Density | 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 |
| Bulk Density | 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 |
| Bulk Density | 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 |
| Bulk Density | 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 |
| Cation Exchange Capacity | 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' |
| Cation Exchange Capacity | 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 |
| Coarse Fragments | 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 |
| Coarse Fragments | 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 | CLAY | g/100g | Clay total : Gravimetric content of < 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 < X mm soil material in the fine earth fraction (e.g. X = 0.002 mm as specified in the analytical method description) |
| Cation Exchange Capacity | 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. |
| Electrical Conductivity | 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 |
| Electrical Conductivity | 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 |
| Electrical Conductivity | 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 |
| Electrical Conductivity | 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) |
| Nitrogen | 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 |
| Organic Carbon Content | 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 |
| pH | 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 |
| pH | 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 |
| pH | 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 |
| pH | 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 |
| Phosphorus | 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) |
| Phosphorus | 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 |
| Phosphorus | 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 |
| Phosphorus | 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) |
| Phosphorus | 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 | 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 | 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) |
| Calcium Carbonate | 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 |
| Carbon Total | 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 |
| Water Retention Gravimetric | 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) |
| Water Retention Gravimetric | 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) |
| Water Retention Gravimetric | 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) |
| Water Retention Gravimetric | 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) |
| Water Retention Gravimetric | 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) |
| Water Retention Gravimetric | 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) |
| Water Retention Gravimetric | 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) |
| Water Retention Volumetric | 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) |
| Water Retention Volumetric | 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) |
| Water Retention Volumetric | 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) |
| Water Retention Volumetric | 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) |
| Water Retention Volumetric | 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) |