Topsoil Physico-Chemical Properties Across Wales 2021-2023

224 topsoil monitoring sites across Wales were resurveyed between 2021 and 2023. The dataset includes measured properties like soil organic matter, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, pH, and water content. It was collected by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology as part of the ERAMMP program.

Use Cases

• Model soil organic carbon (SOC) concentrations using predictors like pH, electrical conductivity, and land use type.
• Analyze correlations between soil bulk density of fine earth and fine earth volumetric water content across different soil groups.
• Assess soil nutrient status by comparing total soil phosphorus and Olsen-phosphorous levels within improved land parcels.
• Investigate temporal changes in soil organic matter (loss on ignition) and derived carbon concentration from the initial 2013-2016 GMEP survey.

Strengths

• Data from 224 spatially distributed 1km square sites provides a structured sample across Wales.
• Includes 12+ specific physico-chemical properties per soil sample, such as SOC, nitrogen, and pH.
• Part of a longitudinal program (ERAMMP) designed to resurvey 300 original locations on a rolling basis.

Limitations

• Sample represents a subset (224 of 300) of the original monitoring sites, not a complete resurvey.
• Olsen-phosphorous measurements are limited to improved land only, reducing comparability across all land uses.
• Temporal coverage (2021-2023) is a snapshot; full longitudinal analysis requires data from the earlier 2013 2016 GMEP project.

Provenance

Source

Environmental Information Data Centre / UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.

Collection Method

Field survey based on a stratified random sampling design of 300 x 1km square sites, with soil properties measured from topsoil (0-15 cm).

Time Range

2021 to 2023.

Freshness

Data updated in March 2026, covering measurements from 2021 to 2023.

Geography

Wales.