Global Soil Texture and Water-Holding Capacity Profiles

A global dataset provides standardized soil horizon thicknesses and particle size distributions for 106 soil types across nine continental divisions. Compiled by Webb et al. for the Goddard Institute for Space Studies, it includes top and bottom depths and percent sand, silt, and clay for each horizon. The data is at a 1-degree resolution and is used to derive water-holding capacities for climate and hydrological models.

Use Cases

• Parameterizing ground hydrology in the GISS GCM Model III using soil texture and horizon depth data.
• Calculating potential water storage in soil profiles and root zones using derived datasets for agricultural or ecological studies.
• Mapping global variations in soil physical properties by combining with the World Soil Data File (Zobler classification).
• Estimating water-holding capacity for climate impact assessments using the provided derived data sets.

Strengths

• Covers 106 distinct soil types across nine continental divisions, providing global scope.
• Includes five derived data sets (e.g., profile thickness, water storage potentials) for direct application.
• Standardized compilation intended for integration with a major climate model (GISS GCM).

Limitations

• Specific row counts, column names, and exact data size are not provided by any source.
• Sources conflict on the 'last updated' date (1996 vs. 2026), casting uncertainty on maintenance.
• Data format is ASCII/text, which may require parsing with the provided Fortran code for use.

Provenance

Source

Webb, Robert W., Cynthia E. Rosenzweig, and Elissa R. Levine (2000).

Collection Method

Compiled from the World Soil Data File (Zobler, 1986) and FAO/UNESCO Soil Map of the World.

Freshness

2026-03-13 01:49:52.441807

Geography

Global at 1-degree resolution.