Here’s a detailed description for updating and improving your crop recommendation system based on soil data:

Description of a Crop Recommendation System with Soil Data

A crop recommendation system helps farmers select the best crops to grow based on the specific properties of their soil. This system uses soil characteristics and environmental factors to determine the crops that are most likely to thrive. Recommendations are provided to improve crop yield, optimize resource use, and ensure sustainable farming practices.

Core Components for Recommendations

The system should consider the following soil parameters and external factors to make accurate recommendations:

1. Soil Nutrients:

   • Nitrogen (N): Promotes leafy growth; ideal for crops like spinach, lettuce, and wheat.
   • Phosphorus (P): Essential for root development; crucial for legumes, peas, and root vegetables like carrots.
   • Potassium (K): Enhances disease resistance and fruit quality; important for fruiting plants like tomatoes, bananas, and potatoes.

2. Soil pH:

   • Indicates soil acidity or alkalinity.
   • Neutral pH (6.5-7.5) supports most crops like rice, wheat, and maize.
   • Acidic soil (<6.5) favors crops like tea and coffee.
   • Alkaline soil (>7.5) supports crops like barley and asparagus.

3. Organic Matter:

   • High organic content improves water retention and nutrient availability.
   • Crops like vegetables and fruits benefit from rich organic matter.

4. Moisture Level:

   • Determines irrigation needs and crop suitability.
   • High moisture crops: Paddy, sugarcane.
   • Low moisture crops: Millet, sunflower.

5. Temperature:

   • Warm crops: Maize, rice, and cotton.
   • Cool crops: Wheat, barley, and cabbage.

6. Rainfall:

   • Rain-fed crops (e.g., rice) thrive in high rainfall areas.
   • Drought-resistant crops (e.g., millets) perform well in low-rainfall zones.

7. Geographical Factors:

   • Altitude, latitude, and local climate conditions.
   • Example: Coffee grows well in high altitudes, while coconut thrives in coastal regions.

How to Update Recommendations

1. Dynamic Soil Profiles:

   • Use real-time soil testing data to determine nutrient levels, pH, and moisture.
   • Example: If the nitrogen level is low, recommend nitrogen-fixing crops like legumes.

2. Crop Rotation Insights:

   • Suggest crop rotations to maintain soil health.
   • Example: After a nitrogen-depleting crop like wheat, recommend a nitrogen-fixing crop like lentils.

3. Fertilizer Suggestions:

   • Provide recommendations for fertilizers based on deficiencies.
   • Example: If phosphorus is low, suggest adding rock phosphate.

4. Weather and Climate Integration:

   • Include real-time weather data like rainfall forecasts and temperature trends.
   • Example: Recommend drought-tolerant crops during dry seasons.

5. Regional Crop Suitability:

   • Use regional data to match crops with local soil and climate.
   • Example: Recommend paddy in water-rich regions like Punjab, and millet in arid regions like Rajasthan.

Sample Output for Crop Recommendations

Based on soil and environmental data: - Soil Parameters: - pH: 6.8 (neutral) - Nitrogen: Medium - Phosphorus: Low - Potassium: High - Moisture: Moderate - Recommendations: - Primary Crops: Wheat, Maize, Barley. - Secondary Crops (Improving Soil Health): Lentils, Chickpeas (for nitrogen fixation). - Fertilizer Recommendation: Use phosphorus-rich fertilizers (e.g., DAP).

How to Present Recommendations

• Use a dashboard or mobile app for farmers.
• Show clear visualizations of soil test results and matched crops.
• Include:
  • Top recommended crops.
  • Fertilizer and irrigation tips. -``

We developed a comprehensive, gridded Global Soil Dataset for use in Earth System Models (GSDE) and other applications as well. GSDE provides soil information including soil particle-size distribution, organic carbon, and nutrients, etc. and quality control information in terms of confidence level. GSDE is based on the Soil Map of the World and various regional and national soil databases, including soil attribute data and soil maps. We used a standardized data structure and data processing procedures to harmonize the data collected from various sources. We then used a soil type linkage method (i.e. taxotransfer rules) and the polygon linkage method to derive the spatial distribution of soil properties. To aggregate the attributes of different compositions of a mapping unit, we used three mapping approaches: area-weighting method, the dominant soil type method and the dominant binned soil attribute method. In the released gridded dataset, we used the area-weighting method as it will meet the demands of most applications. The dataset can be also aggregate to a lower resolution. The resolution is 30 arc-seconds (about 1 km at the equator). The vertical variation of soil property was captured by eight layers to the depth of 2.3 m (i.e. 0- 0.045, 0.045- 0.091, 0.091- 0.166, 0.166- 0.289, 0.289- 0.493, 0.493- 0.829, 0.829- 1.383 and 1.383- 2.296 m).

Soil Classification Datasets

Please ensure to cite the paper when utilizing the dataset in a research study. Refer to the paper link or BibTeX provided below.

This repository contains comprehensive datasets for soil classification and recognition research. The Original Dataset comprises soil images sourced from various online repositories, which have been meticulously cleaned and preprocessed to ensure data quality and consistency. To enhance the dataset's size and diversity, we employed Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), specifically the CycleGAN architecture, to generate synthetic soil images. This augmented collection is referred to as the CyAUG Dataset. Both datasets are specifically designed to advance research in soil classification and recognition using state-of-the-art deep learning methodologies.

This dataset was curated as part of the research study titled "An advanced artificial intelligence framework integrating ensembled convolutional neural networks and Vision Transformers for precise soil classification with adaptive fuzzy logic-based crop recommendations" by Farhan Sheth, Priya Mathur, Amit Kumar Gupta, and Sandeep Chaurasia, published in Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence.

Links

• Paper: An advanced artificial intelligence framework integrating ensembled convolutional neural networks and Vision Transformers for precise soil classification with adaptive fuzzy logic-based crop recommendations
• Code: Development Code (model and recommendation system)

Application produced by this research is available at:

• Agro Companion: Agro Companion
• Server Code: Agro Companion Server

Note: If you are using any part of this project; dataset, code, application, then please cite the work as mentioned in the Citation section below.

Dataset

Both dataset consists of images of 7 different soil types.

The Soil Classification Dataset is structured to facilitate the classification of various soil types based on images. The dataset includes images of the following soil types:

• Alluvial Soil
• Black Soil
• Laterite Soil
• Red Soil
• Yellow Soil
• Arid Soil
• Mountain Soil

The dataset is organized into folders, each named after a specific soil type, containing images of that soil type. The images vary in resolution and quality, providing a diverse set of examples for training and testing classification models.

Original Dataset Details

• Total Images: 1189 images
• Image Format: JPG/JPEG
• Image Size: Varies
• Source: Collected from various online repositories and cleaned for consistency.

CyAUG Dataset Details

• Total Images: 5097 images
• Image Format: JPG/JPEG
• Image Size: Varies
• Source: Generated using CycleGAN to augment the original dataset, enhancing its size and diversity.

Input and Output Parameters

• Input Parameters:
  • Image: The images of the soils (JPG/JPEG format).
  • Label: The labels are in the format 'soil types' (folder names).
• Output Parameter:
  • Classification: The predicted class (soil type) based on the input image.

Citation

If you are using any of the derived dataset, please cite the following paper:

@article{SHETH2025111425,
  title = {An advanced artificial intelligence framework integrating ensembled convolutional neural networks and Vision Transformers for precise soil classification with adaptive fuzzy logic-based crop recommendations},
  journal = {Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence},
  volume = {158},
  pages = {111425},
  year = {2025},
  issn = {0952-1976},
  doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engappai.2025.111425},
  url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0952197625014277},
  author = {Farhan Sheth and Priya Mathur and Amit Kumar Gupta and Sandeep Chaurasia},
  keywords = {Soil classification, Crop recommendation, Vision transformers, Convolutional neural network, Transfer learning, Fuzzy logic}
}

Description

In this dataset, there are soil data analyses with properties such as pH, organic matter (OM), salinity (EC), etc., major elements (N, P, K, Mg) as well as some microelements (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, B) with significant impact on plant nutrition.

Categories

Agricultural Soil

Acknowledgements & Source

Panagiotis Tziachris

Data Source

View Details

Image Source

This dataset consists of general soil association units. It was developed by the National Cooperative Soil Survey and supersedes the State Soil Geographic (STATSGO) dataset published in 1994. It consists of a broad based inventory of soils and non-soil areas that occur in a repeatable pattern on the landscape and that can be cartographically shown at the scale mapped of 1:250,000 in the continental U.S., Hawaii, Puerto, and the Virgin Islands and 1:1,000,000 in Alaska. The dataset was created by generalizing more detailed soil survey maps. Where more detailed soil survey maps were not available, data on geology, topography, vegetation, and climate were assembled, together with Land Remote Sensing Satellite (LANDSAT) images. Soils of like areas were studied, and the probable classification and extent of the soils were determined.

Map unit composition was determined by transecting or sampling areas on the more detailed maps and expanding the data statistically to characterize the entire map unit.

This dataset consists of georeferenced vector digital data and tabular digital data. The map data were collected in 1- by 2-degree topographic quadrangle units and merged into a seamless national dataset. The soil map units are linked to attributes in the National Soil Information system relational database, which gives the proportionate extent of the component soils and their properties.

These data provide information about soil features on or near the surface of the Earth. Data were collected as part of the National Cooperative Soil Survey. These data are intended for geographic display and analysis at the state, regional, and national level. The data should be displayed and analyzed at scales appropriate for 1:250,000-scale data.

Brief Description: This dataset contains 1 million simulated soil samples from various locations around the globe. Each sample includes data on soil texture, pH, organic matter content, moisture content, bulk density, nutrient levels (N, P, K), cation exchange capacity, electrical conductivity, color, porosity, and water holding capacity. Designed for environmental scientists, agronomists, and data scientists, this dataset is ideal for research, machine learning models, and educational purposes. Purpose: To provide a comprehensive soil dataset for environmental and agricultural research, including machine learning and data analysis applications. Data Collection Method: Simulated data generated using Python with realistic ranges and distributions based on common soil characteristics.

Usage Examples

Predictive modeling of soil properties.
Classification of soil types based on texture and nutrient content.
Analysis of soil health and fertility across different geographic locations.

File Descriptions

soil_data.csv - The main dataset file containing 1 million rows of soil data across 17 features.

Data Fields

Soil_ID: Unique identifier for each soil sample.
Location_Latitude and Location_Longitude: Geographic coordinates of the soil sample.
Depth_cm: Depth at which the soil sample was collected (cm).
Texture: Soil texture classification (sandy, loamy, clayey).
pH: Soil pH level.
Organic_Matter_%: Percentage of organic matter in the soil.
Moisture_Content_%: Soil moisture content percentage.
Bulk_Density_g/cm³: Soil bulk density (g/cm³).
Nitrogen_N_ppm, Phosphorus_P_ppm, Potassium_K_ppm: Nutrient levels in parts per million (ppm).
Cation_Exchange_Capacity_meq/100g: Soil's ability to hold positively charged ions (meq/100g).
Electrical_Conductivity_dS/m: Soil electrical conductivity (dS/m).
Soil_Color: Color of the soil (brown, red, black, yellow).
Porosity_%: Percentage of pore space in the soil.
Water_Holding_Capacity_%: Soil's water holding capacity percentage.

Acknowledgments

If your dataset generation was inspired by specific studies, data sources, or methodologies, acknowledge them here.

This dataset is a digital soil survey and generally is the most detailed level of soil geographic data developed by the National Cooperative Soil Survey. The information was prepared by digitizing maps, by compiling information onto a planimetric correct base and digitizing, or by revising digitized maps using remotely sensed and other information.

This dataset consists of georeferenced digital map data and computerized attribute data. The map data are in a soil survey area extent format and include a detailed, field verified inventory of soils and miscellaneous areas that normally occur in a repeatable pattern on the landscape and that can be cartographically shown at the scale mapped. A special soil features layer (point and line features) is optional. This layer displays the location of features too small to delineate at the mapping scale, but they are large enough and contrasting enough to significantly influence use and management. The soil map units are linked to attributes in the National Soil Information System relational database, which gives the proportionate extent of the component soils and their properties.

SSURGO depicts information about the kinds and distribution of soils on the landscape. The soil map and data used in the SSURGO product were prepared by soil scientists as part of the National Cooperative Soil Survey.

Context

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Content

Maps of clay, silt and sand contents (g kg-1) were predicted at 0-20 cm, 20-60 cm and 60-100 cm depths intervals by random forest regression in Google Earth Engine. Gridded soil information covers a part of the Midwest Brazil, from 12° S to 20° S and from 45° W to 54° W, and is available with 250m resolution. The maps were cross-validated and had Coefficient of Determination ranging from 0.64 to 0.85 at all depth intervals.

Acknowledgements

Poppiel, Raúl Roberto; Lacerda, Marilusa Pinto Coelho; Safanelli, José Lucas; Rizzo, Rodnei; Pereira de Oliveira Junior, Manuel; Novais, Jean Jesus; Dematte, Jose Alexandre (2020), “250 m-gridded soil texture at multiple depths of Midwest Brazil”, Mendeley Data, V4, doi: 10.17632/52cfcm3xr7.4

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

These Soil Mapping Data Packages include 1. a Soil Map dataset which includes the equivalents to Soil Project Boundaries, Soil Survey Spatial View mapping polygons with attributes from the Soil Name and Layer Files, plus + A Soil Site dataset which includes soil pit site information and detailed soil pit descriptions and any associated lab analyses, and + The Soil Data Dictionary which documents the fields and allowable codes within the data. The Soil Map geodatabase contains the 'best available' data ranging from 1:20,000 scale to 1:250,000 scale with overlapping data removed. The choice of the datasets that remain is based on connectivity to the soil attributes (soil name and layer files), map scale and survey date. (Note: the BC Soil Landscapes of Canada (BCSLC) 1:1,000,000 data has not been included in the Soil_Map or SIFT, but is available from: CANSIS. (A complete soils data package with overlapping soil survey mapping and BCSLC is available on request. Note that the soil survey data with attributes can also be viewed interactively in the [Soil Information Finder Tool](The Soil Map dataset is also available for interactive map viewing or as KMZs from the Soil Information Finder Tool website.

This data set provides gridded data for selected soil parameters derived from data and methods developed by the Global Soil Data Task, an international collaborative project with the objective of making accurate and appropriate data relating to soil properties accessible to the global change research community. The task was coordinated by the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP-DIS). The data in this data set were produced by the International Satellite Land-Surface Climatology Project, Initiative II (ISLSCP II) staff from data obtained from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory Distributed Active Archive Center (ORNL DAAC, http://daac.ornl.gov/). See the related data sets section below. Two-dimensional gridded maps of selected soil parameters, including soil texture, at a 1.0 by 1.0 degree spatial resolution and for two soil depths are provided. All data layers have been adjusted to match the ISLSCP II land/water mask. There are 36 data files with this data set.

This dataset is a digital soil survey and generally is the most detailed level of soil geographic data developed by the National Cooperative Soil Survey. The information was prepared by digitizing maps, by compiling information onto a planimetric correct base and digitizing, or by revising digitized maps using remotely sensed and other information.

This dataset consists of georeferenced digital map data and computerized attribute data. The map data are in a soil survey area extent format and include a detailed, field verified inventory of soils and miscellaneous areas that normally occur in a repeatable pattern on the landscape and that can be cartographically shown at the scale mapped. A special soil features layer (point and line features) is optional. This layer displays the location of features too small to delineate at the mapping scale, but they are large enough and contrasting enough to significantly influence use and management. The soil map units are linked to attributes in the National Soil Information System relational database, which gives the proportionate extent of the component soils and their properties.

Note: This metadata record was created by MnGeo to serve as a generic record for all SSURGO data sets within Minnesota. See the individual county metadata records created by NRCS for county-specific information; these records are included in the data set download files.

Field studies have been performed for decades to analyze effects of different management practices on agricultural soils and crop yields, but these data have never been combined together in a way that can inform current and future cropland management. Here, we collected, extracted, and integrated a database of soil health measurements conducted in the field from sites across the globe. The database, named SoilHealthDB, currently focuses on four main conservation management methods: cover crops, no-tillage, agro-forestry systems, and organic farming. These studies represent 354 geographic sites (i.e., locations with unique latitudes and longitudes) in 42 countries around the world. The SoilHealthDB includes 42 soil health indicators and 46 background indicators that describe factors such as climate, elevation, and soil type. A primary goal of this effort is to enable the research community to perform comprehensive analyses, e.g., meta-analyses, of soil health changes related to cropland conservation management. The database also provides a common framework for sharing soil health, and the scientific research community is encouraged to contribute their own measurements. Resources in this dataset:Resource Title: Data Records - A database for global soil health assessment. File Name: Web Page, url: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-020-0356-3 The data and R code can be downloaded in figshare; there are two folders, named data and RScripts, when ‘SoilHealthDB.zip’ is unzipped. ‘SoilHealthDB_V1.xlsx’ in the data file currently includes 5,907 rows and 268 columns, which were retrieved from 321 papers (for the detailed reference list please refer to ‘References’ under ‘SoilHealthDB_V1.xlsx’). Each column corresponds to one data point of either background information or soil health indicator, and each row includes as many as 42 comparisons between treatments and controls (if all soil health indicators have data). The names, attributes, and descriptions of the background information and soil health indicators are presented in Online-only Tables 1 and 2. It should be noted that different measurements and/or units may be involved in the same soil health indicator (e.g., soil total nitrogen, soil organic nitrogen, or soil inorganic nitrogen are reported in different papers to represent the soil nitrogen indicator, ID 5 in Online-only Table 2); therefore, it is important that measurement objectives, units, and other detailed descriptions are recorded in the comments columns. It should also be noted that for some soil health indicators (e.g., CH4 and N2O emission), we were only able to extract limited numbers of comparisons, which may restrain the ability of those data to be used in further analyses. ‘SoilHealthDB_V1.csv’ is a simplified version of ‘SoilHealthDB_V1.xlsx’, with only soil health background and indicator information kept (e.g., all the description sheets were not kept). There are two R scripts in the ‘RScripts’ folder: the ‘SoilHealthDB_quality_check.R’ script includes code for quality check of the ‘SoilHealthDB’, and the ‘functions.R’ script defines several functions, including one to generate the location of the site in ‘SoilHealthDB’. The SoilHealthDB_V1.csv file is to be used when running the R codes.

Indian Regions Soil Image Database (IRSID) : A dataset for classification of Indian soil types

Sixty one soils (soil types) represent the range of soils found across South Australia’s agricultural lands. Mapping shows the most common soil within each map unit, while more detailed proportion data are supplied for calculating respective areas of each soil type (spatial data statistics).

The Harmonized World Soil Database version 2.0 (HWSD v2.0) is a unique global soil inventory providing information on the morphological, chemical and physical properties of soils at approximately 1 km resolution. Its main objective is to serve as a basis for prospective studies on agro-ecological zoning, food security and climate change. The Harmonized World Soil Database (HWSD) was established in 2008 by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) and FAO, and in partnership with International Soil Reference and Information Centre (ISRIC), the European Soil Bureau Network (ESBN) and the Institute for Soil Sciences Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). The data entry and harmonization within a Geographic Information System (GIS) was carried out at IIASA, with verification of the database undertaken by all partners. HWSD was then updated in 2013 (HWSD v1.2) and in 2023 (HWSD v2.0). This updated version (HWSD v2.0) is built on the previous versions of HWSD with several improvements on (i) the data source that now includes several national soil databases, (ii) an enhanced number of soil attributes available for seven soil depth layers, instead of two in HWSD v1.2, and (iii) a common soil reference for all soil units (FAO1990 and the World Reference Base for Soil Resources). This contributes to a further harmonization of the database. The GIS raster image file is linked to the soil attribute database. The HWSD v2.0 soil attribute database provides information on the soil unit composition for each of the near 30 000 soil association mapping units. The HWSD v2.0 Viewer, provided with the database, creates this link automatically and provides direct access to the soil attribute data and the soil association information. Note: - A tutorial for accessing HWSD ver. 2.0 using R (prepared by David Rossiter, June 2023) has been added as an 'associated resource' (NOTE: Needs the SQLite version of HWSD v2 as provided below). - Soil property estimates in HWSDv2 were derived from Batjes (2016), Geoderma (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2016.01.034).

Abstract

This dataset created by the Native Lands Advocacy Project contains spatial and tabular data derived from the NRCS's 2020 national SSURGO soils database and has been formatted to include only data within current American Indian areas for the conterminous United States. Boundary data was acquired from the US Census Bureau's Tiger Database (2010) reported by the federally recognized tribal governments through the Census Bureau's Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) and includes a total of 549 areas associated with 398 unique American Indian groups. The boundary data includes all Indian Lands defined by CFR 25 CFR § 502.12 which includes both lands held in trust by the United States Government and fee lands within the boundaries of American Indian Lands encompassing a total of 109,465,623 acres of land. The spatial data includes each soil unit and its associated MUKEY making it possible to join this data with other GSSURGO soil characteristics tables.According to the NRCS4, "The SSURGO database provides the most detailed level of information and was designed primarily for farm and ranch, landowner/user, township, county, or parish natural resource planning and management. Using the soil attributes, this database serves as an excellent source for determining erodible areas and developing erosion control practices; reviewing site development proposals and land use potential; making land use assessments and chemical fate assessments; and identifying potential wetlands and sand and gravel aquifer areas." The NRCS's SSURGO data is used in numerous land valuation, carbon and hydrologic assessment models including the proprietary AcreValue™ valuation estimation tool5, NRCS's Rapid Carbon Assessment RaCa6, the EPA's Automated Geospatial Watershed Assessment (AGWA), and the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), to name a few.

Retirement Notice: This item is in mature support as of April 2024 and will be retired in December 2026. Please use the following layers at replacements: World Soils 250m Percent Sand, World Soils 250m Percent Silt, World Soils 250m Percent Clay. Esri recommends updating your maps and apps to use the new version.Soil is a key natural resource that provides the foundation of basic ecosystem services. Soil determines the types of farms and forests that can grow on a landscape. Soil filters water. Soil helps regulate the Earth's climate by storing large amounts of carbon. Activities that degrade soils reduce the value of the ecosystem services that soil provides. For example, since 1850 35% of human caused green house gas emissions are linked to land use change. The Soil Science Society of America is a good source of of additional information. Soil texture is an important factor determining which kinds of plants can be grown in a particular location. Texture determines a soil's susceptibility to erosion or compaction and how well a soil holds nutrients and water. For example sandy soils tend to be well drained and dry quickly often holding few nutrients while clay soils may hold much more water and many more plant nutrients. Dataset SummaryThis layer provides access to a 30 arc-second (roughly 1 km) cell-sized raster with attributes related to soil texture derived from the Harmonized World Soil Database v 1.2. The values in this layer are for the dominant soil in each mapping unit (sequence field = 1). Fields for topsoil (0-30 cm) and subsoil (30-100 cm) are available for each of these attributes related to soil texture:USDA Texture ClassGravel - % volumeSand - % weightSilt - % weightClay - % weight The layer is symbolized with the topsoil texture class. The document Harmonized World Soil Database Version 1.2 provides more detail on the soil texture attributes contained in this layer. Other attributes contained in this layer include:Soil Mapping Unit Name - the name of the spatially dominant major soil groupSoil Mapping Unit Symbol - a two letter code for labeling the spatially dominant major soil group in thematic mapsData Source - the HWSD is an aggregation of datasets. The data sources are the European Soil Database (ESDB), the 1:1 million soil map of China (CHINA), the Soil and Terrain Database Program (SOTWIS), and the Digital Soil Map of the World (DSMW).Percentage of Mapping Unit covered by dominant component More information on the Harmonized World Soil Database is available here.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) combined the available regional and national soil information with the data already contained within the 1:5,000,000 scale FAO-UNESCO map, into a new comprehensive Harmonized World Soil Database (HWSD_v121). This map has a resolution of about 1 km (30 arc seconds) and consists of a 30-cm topsoil layer, and a 70-cm subsoil layer. The soil variables provided in the Harmonized World Soil Database (2009) and FAO/UNESCO Soil Map of the World included soil texture (%sand, %silt, %clay), organic carbon, pH, and EC. However, from a hydrological point of view, we are in need of parameters such as bulk density, water storage capacity, and hydraulic conductivity for different soil layers. Hence, we have used various pedotransfer functions from the literature to estimate the soil parameters needed in a Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT model). The associated SWAT2012.mdb and lookup table is available at 2w2e GmbH website. […]

A global data set of soil types is available at 0.5-degree latitude by 0.5-degree longitude resolution. There are 106 soil units, based on Zobler?s (1986) assessment of the FAO/UNESCO Soil Map of the World. This data set is a conversion of the Zobler 1-degree resolution version to a 0.5-degree resolution. The resolution of the data set was not actually increased. Rather, the 1-degree squares were divided into four 0.5-degree squares with the necessary adjustment of continental boundaries and islands. The computer code used to convert the original 1-degree data to 0.5-degree is provided as a companion file. A JPG image of the data is provided in this document. The Zobler data (1-degree resolution) as distributed by Webb et al. (1993) http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/seg/eco/cdroms/gedii_a/datasets/a12/wr.htm#top contains two columns, one column for continent and one column for soil type. The Soil Map of the World consists of 9 maps that represent parts of the world. The texture data that Webb et al.(1993) provided allowed for the fact that a soil type in one part of the world may have different properties than the same soil in a different part of the world. This continent-specific information is retained in this 0.5-degree resolution data set, as well as the soil type information which is the second column. A code was written (one2half.c) to take the file CONTIZOB.LER distributed by Webb et al. (1993) http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/seg/eco/cdroms/gedii_a/datasets/a12/wr.htm#top and simply divide the 1-degree cells into quarters. This code also reads in a land/water file (land.wave) that specifies the cells that are land at 0.5 degrees. The code checks for consistency between the newly quartered map and the land/w...