Soil Information System: Capabilities and Objectives

After reading this article you will learn about the capabilities and objectives of soil information system.

Capabilities of Soil Information System:

Now-a-days, no soil classification is of much value unless it is supported by a comprehensive electronic database.

The National Co-operative Soil Survey (NCSS) has developed a new National Soil Information System intended to provide new capabilities for users of the system, such as:

(i) Preservation of individual site observation data,

(ii) The relation of these individual data and the spatial variability of soil properties to delineated areas on soil maps,

(iii) Two types of map: Primary units—that are composed of the most detailed, delineated spatial entities and user defined units—grouping of primary units to meet specific needs, and

(iv) The interpretation of individual components of map units.

Objectives of Soil Information System:

Soil information system has the following broad objectives:

(a) It has computerised data base containing information about topography, soils, climate, vegetation and land use, ideally complemented by compatible databases of socio­economic factors, and linked to a GIS in which each item of information can be accurately located and overlays of such spatial information portrayed graphically, and

(b) Providing models relating to crop yields moderated by soil and climatic conditions and management inputs, as well as environmental impact models for site specific land units and land uses.

Soil information is collected by the survey of soils in the field and subsequent analysis in the laboratory. For the field study, the soil information system provides the following information:

(i) Remote sensing from space craft and aircraft,

(ii) Maps exhibiting geological and vegetation information,

(iii) Experience of soil users, and

(iv) Visual observations and measurements made by a soil surveyor on the ground.

However, now-a-days, to rely solely on classification as a means of ordering soil knowledge and communicating this knowledge is akin to being satisfied to keep records in a hand written diary rather than the latest laptop computer.

Modern soil information systems provide various field and laboratory information about soil. Therefore, soil information system is recently considered as a useful modern technique successfully used for the soil survey, land use planning and soil classification.