Topsoil Physico-Chemical Properties Across 150 Sites in Great Britain

Great Britain soil data contains measurements of pH, soil organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and bulk density from 150 one-kilometer squares sampled in 2023. The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology collected this data as part of a rolling five-year monitoring program within a stratified random sample grid. This survey enables detection of gradual environmental changes by comparing results with historical surveys dating back to 1978.

Use Cases

• Model soil organic carbon (SOC) stock and concentration using soil group and bulk density as predictors.
• Analyze spatial patterns of Olsen-phosphorus concentration and nitrogen concentration across the 150 sampled squares.
• Assess correlations between soil pH, soil moisture of wet soil, and fine earth volumetric water content.
• Monitor temporal changes in soil organic matter (LOI) by linking 2023 data with historical survey records.

Strengths

• Data from 150 spatially distributed one-kilometer squares provides broad geographic coverage of Great Britain.
• Includes multiple key soil properties: pH, organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, bulk density, and moisture.
• Sampling follows a stratified random design based on a 15km grid, ensuring scientific rigor and representativeness.
• Part of a long-term monitoring program with historical surveys since 1978, enabling temporal trend analysis.

Limitations

• Sample size is limited to 150 squares, which may not capture fine-grained local soil variability.
• Data is from a single year (2023) snapshot; longitudinal analysis requires joining with separate historical datasets.

Provenance

Source

UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) via the Environmental Information Data Centre.

Collection Method

Field sampling of topsoil (0 15 cm) from a stratified random sample of 1 km squares across Great Britain.

Time Range

2023 (with historical survey years: 1978, 1984, -1990, 1998, 2007).

Freshness

Data from 2023, with updates planned as part of a five-year rolling program.

Geography

Great Britain.