Soil Survey for Improvement of Farming Practices in Malia Municipality, Greece

Abstract

A soil survey and classification program was carried out over a 5.86‐ha agricultural area in the wider region of Malia in the island of Crete. The spatial data from the soil survey were organized using a geographic information system (GIS) to facilitate storage, management, and analysis. In the first stage, the available data for the study were collected, digitized, and processed (maps, satellite imagery, and aerial photographs). Based on this information, many other derivative data layers such as slope, curvature, and slope aspect were manipulated. Sampling points were determined with GIS, while the exact position of each sampling was recorded using a global positioning system (GPS). This information, along with results pertaining to the sample, was entered into the graphical database, which was specially designed to store all the relevant data of the sampled points. Data layers describing the spatial distribution of key parameters such as soil texture, pH, calcium carbonate (CaCO3), and nutrient status were produced. The use of GIS was very helpful for soil classification and evaluation of soil suitability for a range of activities, whereas the visualization of the data collected and the derived results in the form of various thematic maps demonstrated the ability of GIS to act as a valuable administrative tool and, in addition, to provide substantial valuable support to farmers in improving the applied farming practices.