A Comparative Analysis of a Detailed and Semi-Detailed Soil Mapping for Sustainable Land Management Using Conventional and Currently Applied Methodologies in Greece

Endorsement of USDA Soil Taxonomy by the International Union of Soil Sciences

Green Economy and Infrastructure Contributions of USDA Urban and Nonfarm Soil Projects in the U.S.

Comparison of soil variability in a detailed and a reconnaissance soil map in central Iran

Soil classification and mapping in the Alps: The current state and future challenges

A Pedological Tale IV: Conversations with Turtle, Bear, and Eagle

The fractal mind of pedologists (soil taxonomists and soil surveyors)

Several pedological soil classification schemes have been developed to classify soils worldwide based on morphological features, stage of weathering, and to some extent their chemical and physical properties. Three soil classification systems are commonly used as research and teaching tools in the tropics, namely, the USDA Soil Taxonomy classification, the FAO/UNESCO World Soil Legends, and the French soil classification system. Brazil, the country with the largest land area in the tropics, has its own national soil classification system. However, soil survey, classification, and interpretation are costly and time-consuming, and few countries in the tropics have completed soil maps that are at a scale detailed enough to be useful to farmers and land users. In the absence of soil information at state, county or farm level, the authors propose a simple descriptive grouping of major soils in the tropics based on clay mineralogy to facilitate discussion on soil management and plant production in the subsequent chapters of this book. Reference to the Soil Taxonomy classification will be made when such information is available. It should be pointed out that the main purpose of this technical grouping is to provide field workers, especially those who are less familiar with the various soil classification systems, with a simple framework for planning soil management strategies. It by no means replaces the national and international soil taxonomy and classification systems that are designed for communication among soil scientists and for more detailed interpretation of soil survey data and land-use planning. This technical scheme classifies major arable soils in the tropics into four groupings according to their dominant clay mineralogy. They are • kaolinitic soils • oxidic soils • allophanic soils • smectitic soils Kaolinitic soils are deeply weathered soils with a sand, loamy sand, or sandy loam texture in the surface horizon and a clayey B horizon (20-60%). Silt content is low (< 20%) throughout the profile. Kaolinite (> 90%) is the dominant mineral in the clay fraction. These soils have an effective CEC of less than 12 cmol/kg of clay in the lower B horizon. Kaolinitic soils have a relatively high bulk density, especially in the clayey subsoil horizons (> 1.40 Mg/m3). The structure of the subsoil horizons is usually massive or blocky.

Early soil surveyors in the tropics encountered unique environmental conditions. Soil survey was challenging in dense tropical vegetation because it was difficult to observe the landscape without clearing survey lines. Cecil Frederick Charter, a British geographer (1905–1956), proposed an interim scheme for the classification of tropical soils on the basis of Neustruev's soil genetic model where soil is a function of climate, vegetation, relief and drainage, parent material, and age. Charter's interim system was hierarchical, with five levels: Order, Suborder, Soil Group Family, Great Soil Group, and Soil Series. Starting in 1937, Charter worked on soil surveys for Trinidad; British Honduras; Antigua and Barbuda, Leeward Islands; and Tanganyika. From 1951 to 1956, Charter directed the Soil Research Institute in Ghana (formerly Gold Coast). He created 37 soil survey regions based on major drainage basins that were mapped using the semi‐detailed reconnaissance method (1:250,000). In 1962, Hugh Brammer published soils information related to agriculture and land use in Ghana and summarized Charter's Interim system. Correlation of Ghana's soil classification system with the three widely used international systems (FAO, WRB, and U.S. soil taxonomy) is also described. Comparing of national soil maps through time provides insights about the development of soil geography and soil classification concepts for a country. We paper examine three of the eight national maps of Ghana and discuss theoretical developments in the classification of tropical soils in West Africa. Research in soil morphology and genesis is important for soil mapping and classification with applications for land use and management in the tropics.

Chapter 3 The State of the Art of Brazilian Soil Mapping and Prospects for Digital Soil Mapping

Are soil phenoforms the new normal? Soil classification and soil mapping in the Anthropocene

The article presents the results of research on the creation of a detailed soil map (scale 1:2500) using the example of a land plot of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education Perm State Agrarian University. The purpose of the research is to improve the methodology of detailed soil mapping using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and methods of geoinformation analysis of aerial photographs. The total area of the plot is 13.4 hectares, on which a UAV survey was carried out on September 12, 2023, and a soil survey was carried out on a detailed scale from June 1 to 24, 2024. Soil mapping was carried out on the basis of field data and a digital elevation model created by photogrammetry methods based on UAV survey materials. The map creation process is automated by creating geoprocessing models in QGIS model builder. Based on the results of creating a detailed soil map, a conclusion was made about the close relationship of soils with characteristic relief elements, which are reflected in classes according to the topographic position index TPI. Keywords: UAV, GEOINFORMATIONAL MAPPING, SOIL MAP

Soil information is indispensable for sustainable use of the soil resource. Since its initiation in 1887, soil survey, classification and mapping activities in Sri Lanka have progressed through three successive stages. The latest soil maps of Sri Lanka developed through Sri Lanka-Canada soil resource project (1999–2004) are available at scales of 1:250,000–1:500,000. These choropleth soil maps delineate mapping units at soil series level, but due to the coarse nature of the mapping scale, majority of mapping units are either associations or complexes. These maps and the databases have primarily served for agricultural planning and management at its best. The state-of-the-art digital soil mapping techniques have been used in Sri Lanka mostly to generate soil information required for small-scale studies indicating a consistent development of expertise on advances in soil mapping. Presently, the need of soil information has expanded beyond its classical uses and has become a prerequisite for addressing environmental issues and food, energy and water security. These requirements are driving new demands for better soil maps at finer resolution. Catering the present soil information demand, the next national soil survey needs to be performed at a scale of 1:25,000 or larger using soil properties-based map legend. The multidisciplinary nature of the usage of soil information requires a collective decision of scientists on the soil properties to be considered for future mapping activities. Ultimately, the development of web-based national spatial soil information systems is a viable option to publish the next-generation digital soil information of Sri Lanka.

The relevance of soil and cartographic research is defined by its critical role in ensuring the rational use of land resources, maintaining ecological balance, and effectively managing agricultural lands amidst contemporary challenges. Understanding changes in soil cover and its characteristics is essential for developing strategies for sustainable land use adapted to climate change and anthropogenic impacts. The historical development of these studies in the Khmelnytskyi region during the second half of the 20th century illustrates a complex process of integrating advancements in soil science, thematic mapping, and practical agricultural needs. An analysis of the materials identified key trends of this period, proposed their periodization, and assessed methodological approaches that remain significant today. The study highlights the importance of large-scale soil surveys, characterized by differences in information content, survey methodologies, and the level of detail. These efforts enabled the creation of medium-scale maps, which marked a breakthrough in systematizing knowledge about the region's soil cover. These maps served as a foundation for further land use planning and the development of agricultural practices. They also contributed to the identification of soil degradation trends and informed strategies for their mitigation, which remain relevant in addressing present-day environmental concerns. Special attention is given to the methodology of soil and cartographic works, which included standard analytical approaches, source systematization, retrospective analysis, and mapping methods. The application of these methods ensured the accuracy and reliability of the results. For instance, large-scale soil surveys conducted between 1957 and 1961 provided the basis for creating soil maps used for land resource assessment and decision-making in agricultural enterprises. The article elaborates on the process of map creation, from data collection in field conditions to their subsequent processing. This meticulous approach laid the groundwork for the detailed evaluation of soil fertility and land-use potential. The paper also examines innovations introduced in detailed sectoral soil and cartographic surveys conducted from the 1970s to the mid-1990s. These works involved meticulous planning, the application of then-modern analytical methods such as laboratory studies of soil mechanical composition and chemical properties, and the integration of results into agro-industrial activities. Particular emphasis is placed on the refinement of methods for agricultural soil grouping, which ensured the rational use and conservation of land resources. The implementation of new approaches contributed to the development of more detailed soil maps and recommendations tailored to the region's natural and climatic characteristics. Moreover, these surveys emphasized the importance of addressing erosion control, nutrient management, and sustainable agricultural practices, which remain critical in modern soil management. Additionally, the article emphasizes the need to adapt methodologies to contemporary conditions. In particular, it highlights the importance of integrating geoinformation technologies to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of data analysis. Geospatial tools, including satellite imagery and GIS-based applications, have transformed traditional mapping processes, offering new insights into soil variability and land-use dynamics. Attention is also given to issues related to the accessibility of archival materials, which are crucial sources for retrospective analysis and forecasting changes in soil cover. Preserving and digitizing these materials are key steps in ensuring the continuity of future research. Furthermore, the study explores the broader implications of these findings for regional and national agricultural policies. By leveraging historical data and modern analytical tools, policymakers and land managers can make informed decisions that align with sustainable development goals. The integration of legacy data with advanced technologies has the potential to enhance predictive modeling, enabling more effective responses to environmental and economic challenges. In conclusion, the study underscores the importance of historical experience in addressing current land-use challenges. The integration of traditional methodologies with modern technologies will enable the sustainable development of agriculture and the preservation of natural resources for future generations. This comprehensive approach not only bridges the gap between past and present practices but also provides a robust framework for advancing soil science and its applications in a rapidly changing world. Keywords: soil and cartographic studies, planning and mapping materials, soil surveying of territories, land resources.

The issue of the urban soil survey, mapping and classifications (including urban soil diagnostics) seems to be not unified and standardized in the last time research. To contribute to the knowledge profound, we present procedure of the urban soil mapping which was based on the concept of pedo-urban complexes enabling to map urban soils in large or middle-sized scale. The mapping process includes the use of multiple background materials such as land cover/land use map, digital terrain model, satellite images, and soil survey results in the field. The example of this mapping method was demonstrated on Bratislava City in Slovak republic. The Slovak Morphogenetic Soil Classification system (MKSP 2014) and World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB 2015) was used for soil map unit’s classification. Concept of the pedo-urban complex (PUC) includes several mapping attributes: urban land use, mapping of soil sealing, mapping of soil units (prevailingly soil association) as well as technogenic substrates. This basis was completed by soil texture, and level of environmental risk. PUC can create some spatial pattern depending on urban land use. Other soil areas are delineated as natural soil types variously influenced by geomorphology or pedology setting. The result of this process is creation of the soil map of Bratislava City which consists of 1,478 areas with soil units. Soil map could be applied in urban planning processes, as very detailed information provided within the map. Also it can be showed some gaps in mapping which should be the topic of further discussions and studies.

Classifying soils for a particular purpose involves the ordering of soils into groups with similar properties and for potential end uses. The classification of soil is a terrific conceptual and practical challenge, especially in arid environments. The challenge may spur on, or it may deter scientists or end users with an interest in soils. If a classification system proves to be relevant and user-friendly, it stimulates and encourages further work because it is recognised for its inherent capacity to create order and enhance the useful understanding and mapping of soils. General-purpose, internationally recognised soil classification systems such as Soil Taxonomy and the World Reference Base and other nationally recognised classification systems (e.g. Australian or South African) have proved to be tremendously useful for soil classification and advancing understanding of soils across the world. However, because the use of these general-purpose classifications requires considerable expertise and experience, there is a need for complementary special-purpose classification systems that are specifically tailored, for example, to particular environmental problems, land uses or local regions and that use plain language descriptions for soil types. General-purpose classification systems often lag in the incorporation of new terminologies, for example, classification of acid sulfate soils in the Murray-Darling Basin, Australia, has led to descriptions of soil types with subaqueous properties (submerged underwater), monosulfidic materials and hypersulfidic materials, to enable assessment of environmental risk and management options. In addition, new challenges face general-purpose soil classification systems, especially in response to the following questions most frequently asked by soil users: (1) what soil properties are changing vertically and laterally in landscapes and with time, especially in acid sulfate soils? and (2) what are the most suitable approaches for characterising, monitoring, predicting and managing soil changes for environmental impact assessments, pollution incidents, waste management, product development and technology support? The purpose of this chapter is to address these challenges by presenting new ideas and concepts on how best to predict and solve practical problems by focussing on the development of special-purpose or more technical soil classification systems, which use plain language names for soil types. To demonstrate the critical importance of developing special-purpose technical soil classifications, the following five case studies are presented, which tackle difficult problems involving highly complex issues: (1 and 2) soil and water degradation in large aquatic environments from the River Murray and Lower Lakes region in South Australia (changing climatic and anthropogenic modified environments) and from the Mesopotamian marshlands in Iraq (anthropogenic modified arid environment); (3) acid sulfate soil as a new geochemical sampling medium for mineral exploration; (4) soil damage to the Australian telecommunication optic fibre cable network from shrink-swell soils and soil corrosion; and (5) soil landscape features to assist police in locating buried objects in complex terrain.