DIRECTORATE GENERAL JRC
JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE
Space Applications Institute
European Soil Bureau / EUROPEAN SOIL DATABASE v 1.0
METADATA June 1999:
Soil Geographical Database of Europe
ver 3.2.8.0
METADATA:
SOIL GEOGRAPHICAL DATA BASE OF EUROPE
v. 3.2.8.0, 19/07/1999
This file complies with the CEN (European Committee for Standardisation) project for a standard meta data description for geographic information, prEN 287009, April 1996.
DATA SET IDENTIFICATION
Data set title:
Soil Geographical Data Base of Europe at Scale 1:1,000,000 version 3.2.8.0, 19/07/1999.
Alternative title:
Soil Geographical Data Base of Europe.
Alternative title:
Base de Données Géographique des Sols d'Europe au 1/1 000 000 version 3.2.8.0, 19/07/1999.
Alternative title:
Base de Données Géographique des Sols d'Europe.
Abbreviated title:
SGDBE.
DATA SET OVERVIEW
Abstract:
The Soil Geographical Data Base of Europe at Scale 1:1,000,000 is part of the European Soil Data Base. It is the resulting product of a collaborative project involving all the European Union and neighbouring countries. It is a simplified representation of the diversity and spatial variability of the soil coverage. The methodology used to differentiate and name the main soil types is based on the terminology of the F.A.O. legend for the Soil Map of the World at Scale 1:5,000,000. This terminology has been refined and adapted to take account of the specificities of the landscapes in Europe. It is itself founded on the distinction of the main pedogenetic processes leading to soil differentiation: brunification, lessivage, podzolisation, hydromorphy, etc.
The database contains a list of Soil Typological Units (STU). Besides the soil names they represent, these units are described by variables (attributes) specifying the nature and properties of the soils: for example the texture, the water regime, the stoniness, etc. The geographical representation was chosen at a scale corresponding to the 1:1,000,000. At this scale, it is not feasible to delineate the STUs. Therefore they are grouped into Soil Mapping Units (SMU) to form soil associations and to illustrate the functioning of pedological systems within the landscapes (see figure bellow or in Postscript file diagram.eps).
Harmonisation of the soil data from the member countries is based on a dictionary giving the definition for each occurrence of the variables. Considering the scale, the precision of the variables is weak. Furthermore these variables were estimated over large areas by expert judgement rather than measured on local soil samples. This expertise results from synthesis and generalisation tasks of national or regional maps published at more detailed scales, for example 1:50,000 or 1:25,000 scales. Delineation of the Soil Mapping Units is also the result of expertise and experience. Heterogeneity can be considerable in European regions. The spatial variability of soils is very important and is difficult to express at global levels of precision. Quality indices of the information (purity and confidence level) are included with the data in order to guide usage.
Purpose of production:
To provide a harmonised and spatially exhaustive coverage of soil types and descriptions in European participating countries at a resolution compatible with a 1:1,000,000-scale map.
Usage:
Soil spatial data query, extraction and thematic mapping, soil spatial data layer input to agro-environmental models (e.g. soil erosion risk, yield forecasting).
Spatial sub-schema type:
Topological planar graph.
Spatial reference system type:
Positioning by Lambert Azimuthal co-ordinates.
Language:
English.
Document reference:
CEC, 1985 - Soil map of the European Communities at 1:1,000,000. CEC-DGVI. Brussels, Belgium. 124pp.
Daroussin J., King D., 1996 - A Pedotransfer Rules Database to interpret the Soil Geographical Data Base of Europe for environmental purposes. In: The use of pedotransfer in soil hydrology research in Europe, workshop proceedings, Orléans, France, 10-12 October 1996. 25-40.
EC-JRC, 1995 - European land information systems for agro-environmental monitoring. King D., Jones R.J.A and Thomasson A.J. (Eds.), Brussels, Belgium. 286 pp.
FAO-Unesco, 1974 - Soil Map of the World - Legend. Unesco, Paris, France. 62pp.
FAO-Unesco, 1990 - Soil Map of the World - Revised Legend. World Soil Resources Report 60. FAO, Rome, Italy. 120pp.
King D., Daroussin J. and Tavernier R., 1994 - Development of a soil geographical database from the soil map of the European Communities. Catena (21). 37-56.
Platou S.W., Norr A.M., Madsen H.B., 1989 - Digitising of the EC soil map. In: Jones R.J.A. and Biagi, B. (Eds). Computerisation of Land Use Data. CEC, Brussels, Belgium. 12-24.
Sample:
No sample data set provided, but a Postscript file (diagram.eps) provides a schematic diagram of the organisation of the database.
Related data sets:
Soil Profile Analytical Data Base of Europe.
DATA SET QUALITY INDICATORS
Rationale
The quality and reliability of the information held in the European Soil Database (ver 1.0) are important considerations for users. At present it is not possible to express the accuracy or precision of the data in the various data sets according to any quantified standard procedure. The ultimate aim of the Scientific Committee of the ESB is to correct this deficiency.
In practice, the responsibility for the accuracy of the spatial and attribute data rests with the Contributor organisations. It has not been possible to make thorough internal checks on the consistency and reliability of the data. This will be done in the future as an ongoing process but the ESB Scientific Committee takes the view that it is now time to distribute the data and to request user feedback as a part of the validation process. In the long-term, this is likely to reveal more errors than a series of ‘artificial’ checks.
The soil polygons (soil map units) on the printed European Soil Map were digitised in the late 1980s. These polygons and the associated attribute data have been elaborated, checked and/or modified by the national experts under the 1:1M soil geographical database project of the ESB. The most obvious problems and deficiencies, such as border harmonisation, have in part been corrected though some areas still need attention. However, no systematic checks on the content and integrity of the polygons have been made. In effect, these polygons are the best representation of the soils of Europe, at the scale 1:1,000,000, that currently exists. But they are a representation only and must be accepted as this.
For example, the soil data in the national archives of the member states are aggregated on the basis of soil units or classes belonging to national soil classifications. In most countries, these classifications differ significantly from the FAO system (used for the EU Soil Map). The national data used to compile the original map in the period 1972-78 had to be re-interpreted to ‘fit’ a different classification system. This worked more effectively in some countries than in others. Similarly, during the revision and extension of the soil geographical database in the period 1990-1997, national data was again re-interpreted to ‘fit’ the European system.
The situation with respect to the attribute coding is similar to that for the soil map unit polygons themselves. The data were extracted from national archives and coded according to a standard recording system. However, the accuracy and integrity of these data remains the responsibility of the national experts who supplied them. Technically, it is possible to make some consistency checks but so far this has not been done. The data were accepted ‘as supplied’. A number of checks are planned for later versions of the database.
Process history:
1974:soil information was compiled and harmonised over Europe at 1:1,000,000 scale by Prof. R.Tavernier (B) (co-ordinator) and national representatives under FAO funding. Project was abandoned before map publication due to lack of funding.
1985:a map limited to the 12 EC member countries is published by Prof. R. Tavernier (B) (co-ordinator) and national representatives under CEC-DG VI for Agriculture funding:
Soil Map of the European Communities at scale 1:1,000,000 (CEC, 1985).
1986:the EC Soil Map and legend are computerised at ADK (Danish Bureau of Land Data, DK) under CORINE program (CEC-DG XI for Environment) funding:
EC Soil Database (Platou et al., 1989).
1988:the database is geo-registered to ONC (Operational Navigation Charts) map sheets at Birbeck College (GB) under CORINE program (CEC-DG XI) funding:
EC Soil Database version 1.
1991:1) soil database attributes are added using the original FAO project archives (i.e. before across-country harmonisation) by D. King (MARS project, CEC-DG VI);
2) errors checked against original map and corrected in database by INRA (National Agronomic Research Institute, F) under MARS project funding:
EC Soil Database version 2 (King et al., 1994).
1992:start computerisation of Eastern countries from FAO project archives under MARS project funding:
Eastern countries Soil Databases at level of EC Soil Database version 2.
1995:1) database is further geo-registered through "rubber-sheeting" adjustment to drainage, political, ocean and populated places layers in DCW (Digital Chart of the World database) by INRA (F) under MARS project funding;
2) database is checked for errors and new attributes are added by Contributing Organisations within database member countries, co-ordination and data management by INRA (F), funding from MARS project;
EC Soil Database version 3 (King et al., 1995).
1996:database is extended to several non EU countries by Contributing Organisations within new database member countries, co-ordination and data management by INRA (F), funding from MARS project:
EC Soil Database version 3.1.
1996-1998: corrections, minor database structure modifications by INRA (F), border harmonisation for some countries by Contributing Organisations, extension to several non EU countries by Contributing Organisations within new database member countries, co-ordination and data management by INRA (F), funding from MARS project:
EC Soil Data Base version 3.22, 3.23... 3.27.
For a detailed history of the database, see also file gazette.txt.
Overall positional accuracy:
Estimated: 500 - 5000 m (0.5 - 5 mm at scale 1:1,000,000). Data set internal tolerance set to 100 m (0.1 mm at scale 1:1,000,000). Minimum polygon area set to 9 ha (0.3 x 0.3 mm at scale 1:1,000,000).
Overall thematic accuracy:
1.Each Soil Typological Unit in the database is characterised by a overall confidence level (high, medium, low; see further "data definition and classification").
2.All polygons representing areas above 25 km2 have been checked/corrected against original soil map.
3.There is a remaining heterogeneity among database member countries in the mapping methodology (e.g. discrepancies in the amount of detail given to object geometry and/or description).
4.This version of the database lacks border harmonisation for some countries.
Overall temporal accuracy:
No temporal values within the data set. The earliest data are from 1980, the latest from 1996. Year of reference of each object is not indicated.
Overall logical accuracy:
100% structural integrity according to tests carried out by co-ordinator (INRA, F).
Overall completeness:
Estimated 90% (there is still some missing information for some attributes).
32 SMU(s) do not totalize 100 % for PCAREA of associated STUs:
SMU PCAREA
342213 105%
410001 70%
410002 70%
410003 70%
410004 70%
410005 70%
410006 70%
410007 70%
410008 70%
410009 70%
410010 70%
410011 70%
410012 70%
410013 70%
410014 70%
410015 70%
410016 70%
410017 70%
410018 70%
410019 70%
410020 70%
410021 70%
410022 70%
410023 70%
460010 99%
460017 101%
460019 98%
460023 101%
460030 99%
460051 101%
460056 93%
3860031 120%
SPATIAL REFERENCE SYSTEM
INDIRECT SPATIAL REFERENCE SYSTEM:
Type of indirect spatial reference system:
By country.
Reference date:
1996.
DIRECT SPATIAL REFERENCE SYSTEM:
Datum:
Lambert Azimuthal.
Ellipsoid:
Sphere.
Map projection:
Projection: LAMBERT_AZIMUTHAL
Units: METERS
Spheroid: SPHERE
Major Axis: 6378388.00000
Minor Axis: 0.00000
Parameters:
radius of the sphere of reference: 6378388.00000
longitude of centre of projection: 9° 0’ 0.000
latitude of centre of projection: 48° 0’ 0.000
false easting (meters): 0.00000
false northing (meters): 0.00000
Height reference system:
Mean sea level.
EXTENT
CURRENCY OF EXTENT DATA AND COMPLETENESS OF DATA SET:
Extent date:
30/10/1996
Extent status:
100% of the extent covered.
PLANAR EXTENT:
Bounding XY:
Min XY: -1594087.250 -1335931.250
Max XY: 1714229.625 1463266.625
Bounding Area:
Definition: -
Geographic area:
Type of indirect spatial reference system:
by country.
Name of areal unit:
ALBANIA, AUSTRIA, BELGIUM, BOSNIA, HERZEGOVINA, BULGARIA, DENMARK, IRISH, REPUBLIC, ESTONIA, ENGLAND, AND, WALES, CZECH, REPUBLIC, FINLAND, FRANCE, GERMANY, GREECE, CROATIA, HUNGARY, ITALY, LATVIA, LITHUANIA, SLOVAKIA, LUXEMBOURG, NORTHERN, IRELAND, NETHERLANDS, NORWAY, POLAND, PORTUGAL, ROMANIA, SCOTLAND, SLOVENIA, SPAIN, SERBIA, SWEDEN, SWITZERLAND, EX-UNION, OF, SOVIET, SOCIALIST, REPUBLICS, EX-YUGOSLAVIA, (BOSNIA,, MACEDONIA,, SERBIA,, CROATIA,, SLOVENIA)
Id code of areal unit:
AL, AU, BE, BK, BU, DA, EI, EN, EW, EZ, FI, FR, GM, GR, HR, HU, IT, LG, LH, LO, LU, ND, NL, NO, PL, PO, RO, SD, SI, SP, SR, SW, SZ, UR, YO
Coverage:
~ 70%.
VERTICAL EXTENT:
Min elevation value:
-6 m
Max elevation value:
4000 m
TEMPORAL EXTENT:
From date:
Not applicable.
To date:
Not applicable.
DATA DEFINITION
APPLICATION SCHEMA DESCRIPTION:
Application schema id:
SOIL.
Application schema text:
Soil types in Europe.
OBJECT TYPE:Object type name:
Object type definition:
Geometric primitive type:
Structure primitive type:
Object type code:
Occurrences:
Positional accuracy:
Thematic accuracy:
Completeness:
ATTRIBUTE TYPE:
Attribute type name: / See file
Attribute type definition: / dictiona.doc, paragraph 2.1.
Attribute type code:
Attribute type domain:
Thematic accuracy:
Temporal accuracy:
ASSOCIATION TYPE:
Association type name:
Association type definition:
From object type:
To object type:
Cardinality:
Constraints:
Thematic accuracy:
Logical consistency:
CLASSIFICATION
THESAURUS:
Name of thesaurus:
Thesaurus administrator:
THESAURUS ELEMENT:Term:
Definition:
Synonyms: / See file
Related term: / attricod.doc.
Broader term:
Narrower term:
Picture:
ADMINISTRATIVE META DATA
ORGANISATION AND ORGANISATION ROLE:
Organisation name:
European Soil Bureau.
Abbreviated organisation name:
ESB.
Organisation address:
European Soil Bureau, Space Applications Institute, Joint Research Centre, TP 262, Ispra Establishment
21020 Ispra (Va), ITALY.
Organisation role:
Distributor.
Alternative organisation name:
Bureau Européen des Sols.
Function of organisation:
Scientific committee for co-ordination on soil information in Europe.
POINT OF CONTACT AND POINT OF CONTACT ROLE:
Point of contact name:
Luca MONTANARELLA.
Point of contact address:
European Soil Bureau, Space Applications Institute, Joint Research Centre, TP 262, Ispra Establishment
I-21020 Ispra (Va), ITALY.
Point of contact role:
Secretariat.
DISTRIBUTION:
Restrictions on use:
Licensed usage, by project licensing, project should cover more than one country, yearly licensing, for details see Point of contact.
Copyright holders:
European Soil Bureau on behalf of the following Contributing Organisations:
Université de Gand, Laboratoire de Pédologie Tropicale,
Krijgslaan 281, B-9000 Gent, BELGIUM
Contact: Professor Eric VAN RANST
Geografisk Institut, Københavns Universitet,
Øster Voldgade 10, DK-1350 København, DENMARK.
Contact: Professor Dr Henrik Breuning MADSEN
Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique,
Unité de Science du Sol, Ardon, F-45160 Olivet, FRANCE.
Contact: Dr Marcel JAMAGNE
Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe,
Stilleweg 2, D-30655 Hannover, GERMANY
Contact: Dr Wolf ECKELMANN
NAGREF, Agricultural University of Athens, Laboratory of Soils and Agricultural Chemistry,
75 Iera Odos, Gr-118 55 Athens, GREECE.
Contact: Professor Nicholas YASSOGLOU
Università di Firenze, Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition,
Piazzale delle Cascine 15, I-50144 Firenze, ITALY.
Contact: Professor Guido SANESI
Joint Research Centre, Space Applications Institute
Ispra Establishment, TP 262, I-21020 Ispra (Va), ITALY.
Contact: Dr Luca MONTANARELLA
Winand Staring Centre (SC-DLO),
Postbus 125, NL-6700 AC Wageningen, THE NETHERLANDS.
Contact: Dr Ben VAN DER POUW
Soil and GIS Group, CSIC SECS,
Calle Serrano, 115 Dpdo, E-28006 Madrid, SPAIN
Contact: Dr J. J. IBAÑEZ
Soil Survey and Land Research Centre, Cranfield University at Silsoe,
Silsoe, Bedford, MK45 4DT, UNITED KINGDOM.
Contact: Michael G. JARVIS
TEAGASC, Agriculture and Food Development Authority,
Johnstown Castle, Research and Development Centre,
Wexford, EIRE
Contact: Dr John LEE
Macaulay Land Use Research Institute,
Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, AB9 2QJ, Scotland, UNITED KINGDOM.
Contact: Dr J.H. GAULD
Research Institute sor Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry,
Hungarian Academy of Sciences,
Herman Ottò ùt 15, Hu-1022 Budapest, HUNGARY
Contact: Professor Gyorgy VARALLYAY
N. Poushkarov Institute of Soil Science and Agroecology,
7, Shosse Bankya Str., 1080 Sofia, BULGARIA
Contact: Dr I. SZTOJOSEV
Research Institute for Soil Science and Agrochemistry,
Bd Marasti 61, Ro-71331 Bucarest, ROMANIA
Contact: Dr Cornelius RAUTA
University of Agriculture of Prague,
Faculty of Agronomy, Department of Soil Science and Geology,
CZ-16521 Praha 6, Suchdol, CZECH REPUBLIC
Contact: Dr Jan NEMECEK
Warsaw University of Technology,
Faculty of Geodesy and Cartography,
Pl. Politechniki 1, Pl-00-661 Warszawa, POLAND
Contact: Dr Stanislas BIALOUSZ
Soil Fertility Research Institute Gagarinova 10,
Slov-82713 Bratislava, SLOVAKIA
Contact: Professor Dr Pavel BIELEK
Soil Science Institute
Instituti i Studimit të Tokave, Tirana, ALBANIA
Contact: Dr Sherif LUSHAJ
Technische Universitat Graz,
Institut fuer Technischew Geologie,
Rechbauerstasse 12, A-8010 GRAZ, AUSTRIA
Contact: Professor Dr J. NESTROY
Lithuanian University of Agriculture,
Department of Soil Science and Agrochemistry,
Akademija-Kaunas, LT-4324 KAUNAS, LITHUANIA
Contact: Professor Dr Vanda BUIVYDAITE
Agricultural Research Centre of Finland,
Institute of Resource Management,
FIN-31600, JOKIOINEN, FINLAND.
Contact: Dr Jouko SIPPOLA
NIJOS, Radhuspl. 29,
PB 115, N-1430 AS, NORWAY
Contact: Dr Arnold ARNOLDUSSEN
SLU, Box 7070, S-75 007 UPPSALA SWEDEN
Contact: Professor Mats OLSSON
Eldg. Forschungsanstalt fuer Landwirtsschaftliche Pflanzenbau,
Reckenholzstrasse 191, Z-8046 Zurich-Reckenholz, SWITZERLAND
Contact: Dr L-F BONNARD,
Department of Soil Science and Agrochemistry,
Latvia University of Agriculture, 2 Liela Street, Jelgava, LV-3001, LATVIA
Contact: Dr Aldis KARKLINS,
Estonian Agricultural University,
Institute of Soil Science, Viljandi Road, Eerika, 2400 TARTU, ESTONIA
Contact: Dr Loit REINTAM,
Pricing policy:
Yearly leasing, reduced pricing for multiple years, for details see Point of contact.
Unit of distribution:
First project: whole data set.
Media:
CD-ROM
Formats:
All files are flat ASCII text with no compression, delivered with meta data information and a README.txt explanatory text for use of distribution formats:
1)Arc/Info EXPORT (usable by Arc/Info sites);
2)Arc/Info UNGENERATE for polygon geometry and flat ASCII files for attribute tables (usable by other mapping or GIS systems).
On-line access:
No on line data set delivery.
There will be WWW product brochure at
Order:
See Point of contact.
Support services:
See Point of contact.
META DATA REFERENCE
Entry date:
18/06/1996
Last check date:
02/12/1996
Last update date:
10/09/1998
Future review date:
Spatial reference system of meta data:
1
metadata.doc