Fundamental Soil Layer - New Zealand Soil Classification
Alternate Title
nzfsl_nzsc
Date
Date
Cited Responsible Party
Responsible Party
Individual Name
James Barringer
Organisation Name
Landcare Research NZ Ltd
Position Name
GIS Scientist
Contact Info
Contact
Phone
Telephone
Voice
+64 3 321 9609
Facsimile
+64 3 321 9998
Address
Address
Delivery Point
PO Box 40
City
Lincoln
Postal Code
7640
Country
nz
Electronic Mail Address
barringerj@landcareresearch.co.nz
Role
Role Code
custodian
Presentation Form
Presentation Form Code
mapDigital
Abstract
The soil fundamental data layers (FDLs) contain spatial information for 16 key attributes, each of which is measurable (i.e. is given a numeric value rather than being assigned to a descriptive class or category) and is recorded in appropriate units of measure. Since attributes have measurable values, FDLs are particularly useful in computer modelling and have enabled researchers and resource management decision-makers to make the most of rapid developments in GIS technology. Key soil attributes were selected through a consultation process with stakeholders, and generally fall into three groups: soil fertility/toxicity, soil physical properties (particularly those related to soil moisture), and topography/climate (T). Parameters include slope, potential rooting depth, topsoil gravel content, proportion of rock outcrop, pH, salinity, cation exchange capacity, total carbon, phosphorus retention, flood interval, soil temperature, total profile available water, profile readily available water, drainage, and macropores (shallow and deep). Regional soil databases were the key to generating FDLs. New Zealand was subdivided into several geographic regions and soil scientists were allocated a region for which they developed a ‘regional legend’, i.e. database. Regional data were correlated using the New Zealand Soil Classification (NZSC), referenced to the National Soils Database (NSD) and other relevant data sources, and then linked to the soil polygons in the New Zealand Land Resource Inventory (NZLRI). This layer holds the NZSC data upon which the remaining FSLs were based.
Resource Maintenance
Maintenance Information
Maintenance And Update Frequency
Maintenance Frequency Code
notPlanned
Descriptive Keywords
Keywords
Keyword
soil
Keyword
classification
Type
Keyword Type Code
theme
Descriptive Keywords
Keywords
Keyword
Downloadable Data
Resource Constraints
Constraints
Use Limitation
Because this layer is based on the NZLRI, limitations associated with the multi-factor, homogenous unit area mapping, method of the LRI tends to result in themes being delineated at lower resolution than a single factor map of equivalent scale.
Resource Constraints
Constraints
Use Limitation
Survey date and therefore currency of data, varies from 1960s to 2000. While every effort has been made to supply a nationally consistent data set, there may be variations in classification, attribute values and scale and precision of mapping depending on time and region of soil data collection
Resource Constraints
Constraints
Use Limitation
NZLRI mapping scale remained constant (at 1:63,360 and later 1:50,000), however, polygon resolution increased in detail as the survey progressed, and was variably constrained by the quality of source information available to the mapper (e.g. original soil maps).
Spatial Representation Type Code
vector
Language
en
Topic Category Code
environment
Topic Category Code
farming
Topic Category Code
planningCadastre
Topic Category Code
biota
Microsoft Windows XP Version 5.1 (Build 2600) Service Pack 2; ESRI ArcCatalog 9.3.0.1770
Regional soil databases were the key to generating FDLs. New Zealand was subdivided into several geographic regions and soil scientists were allocated a region for which they developed a ‘regional legend’, i.e. an attribute database matching all soils to all 16 soil attributes. Regional data were correlated using the New Zealand Soil Classification (NZSC), referenced to the National Soils Database (NSD) and other relevant data sources, and then linked to the soil polygons in the New Zealand Land Resource Inventory (NZLRI).
