Global Soil Spectral Library with Associated Physical and Chemical Attributes
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Description
The ICRAF-ISRIC Soil VNIR Spectral Library contains visible near infrared spectra for 4,438 soil samples archived at ISRIC in 2004. Spectra were measured at the World Agroforestry Center's laboratory, with associated data including geographical coordinates, horizon depth, and physical and chemical properties. The library spans samples from 58 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America.
Use Cases
Predict soil organic carbon content from VNIR spectral reflectance values using regression models.
Classify soil types or horizons based on spectral signatures combined with geographical coordinate data.
Estimate soil physical properties like clay content from specific spectral absorption features.
Develop calibration models for space-based soil sensing by linking laboratory spectra with field attribute data.
Analyze geographic patterns in soil chemistry by joining spectral data with country and coordinate information.
Strengths
Contains 4,438 soil samples, providing a substantial reference library.
Samples originate from 58 countries across five continents, offering broad geographic coverage.
Each sample links spectral data to associated attribute data like coordinates and chemical properties in a relational database.
Limitations
Sample collection was finalized in 2004, making the data temporally stale for contemporary soil studies.
The dataset consists only of physically archived samples at ISRIC at that time, which may introduce a selection bias.
Specific row counts for the merged database and details on data completeness for each attribute are not provided.
Provenance
Source
International Soil Reference and Information Centre (ISRIC) and World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF).
Collection Method
Spectra measured at ICRAF's Soil and Plant Spectral Diagnostic Laboratory on archived ISRIC samples.
Time Range
Samples archived at ISRIC in 2004.
Freshness
null
Geography
58 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America.
Primary data is in a zipped Microsoft Access Database (MDB) format, which may require specific software or conversion for analysis.