Comparative Analysis of the Results of Traditional and Digital Large-Scale Soil Mapping on the Example of a Site at the National Park “Smolenskoe Lakeland”

Abstract

For the territory of the Smolensk Lakeland with a complex and understudied soil cover and considerable influence of the anthropogenic factor, it is relevant to create soil maps using the comparative geographic method. For an area of 8.8 km2 in the southwestern part of the Smolenskoye Lakeland National Park, soil maps (scale 1 : 25 000) were created using the methods of traditional and digital soil mapping (DSM). And a comparison of the results obtained was made. The territory under consideration is dominated by gray-humus soils (Umbric Cambisol (Loamic) and Arenosols (Ochric)) on two maps. These soils are associated with past agricultural use and regeneration of old arable soils. Smaller areas are occupied by alpha-humus and texture-differentiated soils (Podzols (Arenic) and Retisols (Loamic), respectively). In addition, isolated areas of psammozems (Arenosols) have been found and identified on the map using traditional approach. The overall accuracy of the map compiled by the DSM methods was 55%. The leading factors were identified: the position in the relief, the nature of the substrate and vegetation. The distribution of texturally differentiated soils associated with loamic parent materials and humus-peat soils formed in local depressions and on the floodplain of Lake Baklanovskoye is predicted with an accuracy of 87% and 60%, respectively. The location of podzol soils (Entic Rustic Podzols (Ochric)) is predicted with an accuracy of only 29%. The traditional mapping method was able to better reflect the diversity of the soil cover on a large scale compared to the digital method.