Topsoil Physico-Chemical Properties Across 105 UK Survey Squares, 2024

105 one-kilometer squares across Great Britain were sampled in 2024 for topsoil properties including pH, soil organic carbon, nitrogen, and Olsen-phosphorus. This dataset initiates a new 5-year monitoring cycle of 500 squares, building upon surveys conducted since 1978 by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology. Samples are co-located with botanical surveys, enabling integrated analysis of soil and vegetation.

Use Cases

• Model soil organic carbon (SOC) stock variation across Great Britain using stratified random sampling from 105 squares.
• Analyze correlations between soil pH and Olsen-phosphorus concentration to assess nutrient availability.
• Establish baseline nitrogen concentration and stock measurements for comparison with future 5-year monitoring cycles.
• Investigate relationships between soil bulk density of fine earth and soil moisture of wet soil for hydrological modeling.

Strengths

• Data is part of a long-term, rigorous monitoring program with previous cycles in 1978, 1984, 1990, 1998, 2007, and 2019-2023.
• Samples are from 105 spatially distributed 1-km squares selected via a stratified random sample based on a 15km grid.
• Co-located botanical survey data is available, enabling integrated soil-vegetation studies.

Limitations

• The 2024 data represents only the first year of a new 5-year cycle, limiting temporal trend analysis within this release.
• Sample size is limited to 105 squares from the broader target of 500 squares for the full monitoring cycle.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Soil samples taken from topsoil (0 15 cm) using rigorous scientific methods from a stratified random sample of 1-km squares.

Time Range

2024 (initiating a new cycle); program historical coverage from 1978.

Freshness

Part of a rolling 5-year monitoring program; 2024 is the first year of the new cycle.

Geography

Great Britain.