Welcome to the EUROPEAN SOIL BUREAU NETWORK 2009 Plenary Meeting Szent István University, Gödöllő, HUNGARY 14-15 September, 2009
Benchmark soils
Introduction to the topic
Current EU Needs /Expectations Harmonized maps on soil resources Harmonized observations / data bases and maps mainly on properties limiting soil functions (property / functional maps) Definition and delineation of risk areas
Problems Data collection methods of inventory and monitoring are very diverse - mostly not satisfying sampling and analytical requirements (accurcy) Data base structures and availability are diverse Almost all member states have their own national soil classification systems comparison of soil conditions difficult at EU level
Aggregation on a 50 to 50 km grid => A great heterogeneity Gaps in southern EU ENVASSO
ENVASSO
ENVASSO Vertical sampling design unknown Pedogenetic horizons Fixed depth sampling Both sampling
Choosing sites Others n = 65 Random Judgemental Systematic ENVASSO
Maximal depth of sampling 100% Cumulated frequency 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 0 50 100 150 200 Soil depth (cm) ENVASSO
No way that we can fill the gaps in short period of time We cant get detailed quality data for the entire Europe
Problems Data collection methods of inventory and monitoring are very diverse mostly not satisfying sampling and analytical requirements (accurcy) Data base structures and availability are diverse Almost all member states have their own national soil classification systems comparison of soil conditions difficult at EU level
INSPIRE INSPIRE is based on existing data
Problems Data collection methods of inventory and monitoring are very diverse Data base structures and availability are diverse mostly not satisfying sampling and analytical requirements (accurcy) Almost all member states have their own national soil classification systems comparison of soil conditions difficult at EU level
The WRB allows soils from different regions or countries to be identified and characterized with the same terminology. Csernozjom (H) Cernice (Cz) Schwarzerde (D) Mollisol (USA) Mollic horizon Mollic horizon Mollic horizon Mollic horizon Calcic horizon Calcic horizon Calcic horizon Calcic horizon Chernozems (WRB)
Allows soil from different regions or countries to be identified and characterized with the same terminology. Podzol (H) Podzol (Ir) Podzol (Fr) Podzol (Cz) Albic horizon Albic horizon Albic horizon Albic horizon Argic horizon Argic horizon Spodic horizon Spodic horizon Alisol (WRB) Luvisol (WRB) Podzol (WRB) Podzol (WRB)
1:1M Original polygons were not changed
Gelisols (ST) Cryozems (Russia) Cryosols (WRB)
In case of proper correlation, methodology and terminology problems occur; There are consequences on spatial distribution;
Conclusions /questions We should not give up to fill up the gaps, but need detailed information on important / common soils urgently who? how? Standardization / Harmonization / Correlation (?) who? Data, maintenance accessibilityy who?
Conclusions We should not give up to fill up the gaps, but need detailed information on important / common soils urgently who? how? Benchmark soils / sites Standardization / Harmonization / Correlation (?) who? A correlator network Data, maintenance accessibility who? JRC? Or Shall we start more seriously suggest / design a European Soil Conservation Network Organization
Benchmark Soils Definition (National Soil Survey Handbook, NSSH) A benchmark soil is one of large extent within one or more major land resource areas, one that holds a key position in the soil classification system, one for which there is a large amount of data, one that has special importance to one or more significant land uses, or one that is of significant ecological importance. A benchmark soil represents other soils. Knowledge of the properties and behavior of benchmark soils contributes to the understanding and interpretation of other soils with similar properties.
Purpose Benchmark soils help to focus the investigative effort on soils that have the greatest potential for extending collected data and resultant interpretations to other soils. Benchmark soils are useful in planning many kinds of soil studies.
Use of benchmark soils: assessing conservation effects evaluating soil interpretations monitoring dynamic soil property changes measuring saturated hydraulic conductivity determining soil quality verifying and testing soil erodibility factors collecting crop and range plant adaptation and yields assessing soil fertility locating sources for training modeling crop/soil/pesticide scenarios for surface water and groundwater assessments modeling pedotransfer functions
Criteria Soils that represent the range of soil conditions within a major land resource area serve as benchmark soil The criteria are: A benchmark soil is one of large extent, one that holds a key position in the soil classification system, one for which there is a large amount of data, or one that has special significance to farming, engineering, forestry, urban development, wetland or other uses.
Reference profile Benchmark soil Benchmark catena Benchmark study site A well characterized and documented profile that can be used as refernce for identifying similar soils (regardless of extent or significance) A well characterized soil that has great extent and/or significance A landform /soil association tat occurs frequently (most probably with similar threats) A defined area with benhmark soils where detailed investigations are (can be) carried out
Who is going do the work? Correlation /harmonization Correlation network Coordination of selection, data collection maintenance Shall we start more seriously suggest / design a European Soil Conservation Network Organization