The use of information and communication devices in the field conditions for the large-scale mapping of the soil cover

Abstract

Reliable information on soil condition – the basis for evaluation its current condition of rational use. In the leading countries of the world it is accepted periodically – once in 20–30 years to conduct a solid survey of soil cover. During such a period of time, changes in soil properties become noticeable, and at the same time, due to the progress in soil science, the idea of soil genesis, their diagnostics, evolution in use, the evaluation of agro-industrial qualities and the way of rational use are improved. The purpose of this study is to propose new approaches for the transfer of information on the condition of soil with the help of modern devices of information and communication and GIS technologies for the mapping and updating of large-scale soil maps. The main tasks of this research work: 1) Improvement of elements of the methodology of large-scale soil survey; 2) Working out the methodology of large-scale and detailed soil survey; 3) Search for the use of innovative technical tools for the soil mapping. Working out the methods of information and communication facilities in large-scale and detailed studies of soil cover. In particular, a modern mobile device (smartphone) is used in field work with the use of on-line mode for data transmission directly over the Internet. For the work is used mobile software Collector for ArcGIS, application for collecting field data. Mobile device with Android operating system equipped with GPS receiver. The work covers the all technological process, from the development of a database of geospatial data (DB) to map representation in ArcGIS Online and its use for gathering field data and matching the results. The following software and hardware are used to perform the work: ArcGIS Desktop 10 and later; ArcGIS Online with organizational account (account); ESRI Collector for ArcGIS. In the course of the work, the collection of data in the field conditions on soil profiles and their description with the help of the Collector for ArcGIS application is performed. The methodology of the process for collecting data using Collector is presented: 1) Determining the data to be collected. Development of data collection model, what type of point objects and their attributes should be; 2) Placing the data collection model as an object service on ArcGIS Online; 3) Arrival at the place designated for the field works (in particular, in places of location of soil profiles) and the opening of a web-map (map-version) used for data collection. During the research of soil cover in the field, a series of soil profiles and trenches are located on the specific elements of the relief (where there may be a soil changes). All information is shown on the map in Collector for ArcGIS on your mobile device (smartphone, tablet). When entering points in the device, all required fields are filled in. 4) Data collection by mobile device using Collector for ArcGIS (spatial coordinates, attributes and photos, etc.); 5) ArcGIS Online on-site data storage (provided Wi-Fi or Internet connection is available) and synchronization. Thus, the method of collecting data on soil cover using ICT and GIS technologies has been developed and tested to facilitate the processing of information for the needs of large-scale mapping. During testing, a number of advantages and disadvantages have been identified when applying ICT in the digital soil mapping.