SAFARI 2000: Southern Africa Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Profiles

Zinke et al.'s 1986 global dataset provides a curated subset of 1800 soil profiles from southern Africa, with bulk density estimated via regression where original measurements were absent. This compilation focuses on profiles sampled to at least one meter depth, standardizing data from field surveys and literature for biogeochemical modeling. The dataset's derivation from the SAFARI 2000 campaign links it to a major regional earth science initiative.

Use Cases

• Modeling soil organic carbon stocks based on profile-level carbon content and bulk density.
• Calibrating regional earth system models using standardized nitrogen and carbon measurements.
• Analyzing the relationship between soil carbon content and estimated bulk density.
• Studying soil profile characteristics in southern Africa for ecological or climate research.

Strengths

• Curated from a foundational 1986 global dataset (Zinke et al.), providing historical context.
• Includes 1800 soil profiles used to develop regression models for estimating missing bulk density.
• Standardized to include only profiles sampled to a minimum depth of one meter or to actual depth.

Limitations

• Metadata conflicts: 'last updated' dates differ significantly between platforms (1984 vs. 2026).
• Column names and exact row counts are unspecified, limiting immediate analysis.
• Bulk density values for many profiles are estimated, not directly measured.

Provenance

Source

Worldwide Organic Soil Carbon and Nitrogen dataset by Zinke et al. (1986), subset for SAFARI 2000.

Collection Method

Compiled from soil surveys by Zinke and soil survey literature; bulk density estimated via regression where absent.

Time Range

1986 (original publication), with data collection likely preceding.

Freshness

Last updated dates conflict: NASA Earthdata lists 1984-12-31, while Data.gov lists 2026-04-09.

Geography

Southern Africa.