BEIJING, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese researchers have developed a high-precision soil color map of China, providing a reference for soil quality evaluation and soil management.
China covers a vast area and has diverse soil landscapes. Mapping the spatial distribution of soil color in high resolution is challenging. Researchers from the Institute of Soil Science under the Chinese Academy of Sciences adopted a predictive soil mapping method and analyzed roughly 5,000 soil samples taken from across China.
They used remote sensing and geographic information system technologies as well as a machine learning method to develop models that link soil colors with environmental factors such as climate and topography.
A gridded soil color map of China was produced at a resolution of 1 km and covering nine depths. The map shows the patterns and details of soil color in different regions of China, providing key indicators for soil classification, soil quality evaluation and soil management.
The researchers published their findings in the journal Geoderma. Enditem
