WMS The soil mapping was carried out using digital soil mapping with spatial covariates (e.g. topography, geology, habitat classification, Sentinel-2 imagery) and field observations, which were linked using a trained neural network model. Over two field seasons (2018/19 and 2019/20) 200 points were visited across the Falklands. At these points soil samples were collected for lab analyses, field descriptions were made to inform soil classification and a penetrologger was used to measure resistance to penetration. The information gathered in the field and data obtained in the lab were then applied to the soil model.
This webGIS presents the maps produced by the project. All maps are in 30 x 30 m resolution.
Acknowledgements SAERI, DPLUS083 Soil Mapping Project, grant aided by the Darwin Initiative through UK Government funding.]]> infoMapAccessService Falkland Islands soil erosion land management Stefanie Carter SAERI, Falkland Islands Government’s Department of Agriculture, James Hutton Institute, UK Falkland Islands Trust, UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, the Natural History Museum, University of Magallanes. Project Manager scarter@saeri.ac.fk no conditions apply None 3000 3000 text/xml image/jpeg image/png image/png; mode=16bit image/png; mode=8bit image/png; mode=1bit application/dxf application/pdf text/plain text/html text/xml application/vnd.ogc.gml application/vnd.ogc.gml/3.1.1 application/json application/geo+json image/jpeg image/png application/json text/xml text/xml XML DPLUS083 The soil mapping was carried out using digital soil mapping with spatial covariates (e.g. topography, geology, habitat classification, Sentinel-2 imagery) and field observations, which were linked using a trained neural network model. Over two field seasons (2018/19 and 2019/20) 200 points were visited across the Falklands. At these points soil samples were collected for lab analyses, field descriptions were made to inform soil classification and a penetrologger was used to measure resistance to penetration. The information gathered in the field and data obtained in the lab were then applied to the soil model.
This webGIS presents the maps produced by the project. All maps are in 30 x 30 m resolution.
Acknowledgements SAERI, DPLUS083 Soil Mapping Project, grant aided by the Darwin Initiative through UK Government funding.]]> infoMapAccessService Falkland Islands soil erosion land management CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -61.934445 -56.897758 -52.733215 -50.691228 Baseline_Layers CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -62.000278 -56.999722 -53.073703 -50.833339 Overlays CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -62.000278 -56.999722 -53.073703 -50.833339 Superficial_Geology Data source: BGS CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -61.64181 -57.677609 -52.935494 -50.994013 Solid_Geology Data source: BGS CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -61.592376 -57.677609 -52.465055 -50.994013 Broad_Scale_Habitat_Map_2019 Data source: SAERI DPLUS065 - Coastal Habitat Mapping CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -61.706906 -57.538201 -53.073703 -50.833339 Falklands_Elevation__SRTM Data source: NASA SRTM mission CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -62.000278 -56.999722 -53.000139 -50.999861 Farm_Boundaries Data source: FIG DoA CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -61.642757 -57.677615 -52.944319 -50.994035 Falklands_Hillshade Data source: NASA SRTM mission CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -62.000278 -56.999722 -53.000139 -50.999861 Sampling_Points_2018-2020 Points visited for the soil mapping fieldwork between November 2018 and February 2020. CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -61.11804 -57.751188 -52.22972 -51.236156 DarwinPlus_083_Soil_Mapping_Layers CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -61.592372 -57.677666 -52.465014 -50.994035 Classes Methodology: Soil class was determined by applying the rules of the world reference base for soil resources 2014 (2015 update) based on field descriptions and lab analyses. The publication is available for download here: http://www.fao.org/3/i3794en/I3794en.pdf Interpretation: A brief explanation for each soil class is given here; for a full interpretation, please refer to the above-mentioned WRB publication. Histosol An organic soil (essentially peat) that is at least 10 cm deep. All soils with a peaty layer more than 40 cm deep fall into this category, as do organic soils with a depth of 10 to 39 cm that lie directly over rock. Leptosol Soils that are less than 25 cm deep. If soil depth is within 10 to 25 cm, it needs to include at least one mineral horizon, otherwise it would be a Histosol. Gleysol Gleysols are saturated with groundwater for long enough periods to develop gleyic properties, which essentially are greenish/bluish colours mixed with reddish, brownish or yellowish mottles. Podzol This soil class is characterised by an illuvial (accumulated) horizon (reddish in colour), which is overlain by an ash-grey eluvial (washed-out) horizon. The aluminium and iron oxides migrate from the eluvial horizon, which thereby receives a washed-out appearance, with rainwater and accumulate in the illuvial horizon. Stagnosol Stagnosols are characterised by periodic waterlogging, which causes strong mottling in the mineral horizons. Umbrisol Umbrisols are characterised by a high accumulation of organic matter in the mineral surface soil and by low base saturation Cambisol Cambisols are relatively young soils that show at least the beginnings of horizon differentiation. At the same time Cambisols are also a bit of a ‘bucket’ class for soils that fail one or more characteristic diagnostics for other classes. Arenosol Arenosols are sandy soils with either loamy sand or coarser texture, if finer textured horizons are present, they cannot be more than 15 cm. Regosol These are weakly developed soils with little profile development either due to young age or slow soil formation. They are also another ‘bucket’ class for soils that fail one or more characteristic diagnostics for other classes CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -61.592372 -57.677666 -52.465014 -50.994035 Peat_Depth Unit: cm </br></br> Methodology: All peaty horizons from the soil surface to the first mineral horizon were included and added to calculate peat depth. The model included the standard survey points as well as an addional 257 points. </br></br> Categories (discrete): </br> -2 water</br> -1 rocks / built-up area</br></br> 0 – 40 cm</br> 40 – 70 cm</br> 70 – 100 cm</br> 100 – 150 cm</br> 150 – 200 cm</br> 200 – 250 cm</br> 250 – 380 cm CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -61.592372 -57.677666 -52.465014 -50.994035 Erosion Unit: score </br></br> Methodology: A score between 0 and 10 was given to 177 points across the Falkland Island, with a score of 0 referring to no erosion and a score of 10 representing full erosion. The assessment was made on Google Earth imagery. </br></br> Interpretation: The higher the score the larger the erosion extent in each pixel. </br></br> Categories:</br> -2 water</br> -1 rocks / built-up area</br></br> 1 no erosion</br> 2</br> 3</br> 4</br> 5</br> 6</br> 7</br> 8</br> 9</br> 10 full erosion CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -61.592372 -57.677666 -52.465014 -50.994035 Erosion_Risk Unit: score </br></br> Methodology: The erosion risk map was produced by overlaying maps for soil erodibility (derived from soil class), land cover protection (=vegetation), slope and flow accumulation (derived from a digital elevation model), and rainfall. </br></br> Interpretation: The higher the score the higher the erosion risk. </br></br> Categories (discrete):</br> -2 water </br> -1 rocks / built-up area </br></br> <table width="349" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="286"> <strong>Erosion risk</strong> </td> <td width="286"> <strong>Score Interpretation</strong> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="286"> 0.0 - 0.4 </td> <td width="286"> low risk </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="286"> 0.4- 0.6 </td> <td width="286"> medium risk </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="286"> 0.6 - 1.0 </td> <td width="286"> high risk </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -61.592372 -57.677666 -52.465014 -50.994035 Chemical_Properties CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -61.592372 -57.677666 -52.465014 -50.994035 pH__CaCl2 Unit: pH </br></br> Methodology: 10 g of dried topsoil were mixed with 45 ml of deionised water and 5 ml 0.1M CaCl₂. After one hour pH was read on a calibrated Mettler Toledo pH meter. </br></br> Interpretation: The lower the value, the more acidic the soil. All topsoils in the Falkland Islands can be considered acidic. Exceptions may only occur in coastal areas where calcified seaweed is accumulated. </br></br> Categories (discrete):</br> -2 water</br> -1 rocks / built-up area</br> </br> <table width="349" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="286"> <strong>pH</strong><strong> CaCl₂</strong> </td> <td width="286"> <strong>Standard Interpretation</strong> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="286"> 2.9 &ndash; 3.5 </td> <td width="286"> extremely acid </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="286"> 3.5 &ndash; 4.0 </td> <td width="286"> very strongly acid </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="286"> 4.0 &ndash; 4.50 </td> <td width="286"> strongly acid </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="286"> 4.50 &ndash; 4.81 </td> <td width="286"> moderately acid </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -61.592372 -57.677666 -52.465014 -50.994035 pH__H2O Unit: pH </br></br> Methodology: 10 g of dried topsoil were mixed with 50 ml of deionised water. After one hour pH was read on a calibrated Mettler Toledo pH meter. </br></br> Interpretation: The lower the value, the more acidic the soil. All topsoils in the Falkland Islands can be considered acidic. Exceptions may only occur in coastal areas where calcified seaweed is accumulated. </br></br> Categories (discrete):</br> -2 water</br> -1 rocks / built-up area </br></br> <table width="349" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="286"> <strong>pH</strong><strong> H₂O</strong> </td> <td width="286"> <strong>Standard Interpretation</strong> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="286"> 3.45 &ndash; 4.0 </td> <td width="286"> extremely acid </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="286"> 4.0 &ndash; 4.5 </td> <td width="286"> extremely acid </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="286"> 4.5 &ndash; 5.0 </td> <td width="286"> very strongly acid </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="286"> 5.0 &ndash; 5.5 </td> <td width="286"> strongly acid </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="286"> 5.5 &ndash; 5.71 </td> <td width="286"> moderately acid </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -61.592372 -57.677666 -52.465014 -50.994035 Nitrate-N Unit: mg /L N </br></br> Methodology: Palintest (SOIL.5/N) Photometer method 570 nm. Air dry topsoil is extracted using 1M ammonium chloride at soil ratio 1:25. The extracted nitrate is reduced to nitrite during the extraction process and then reacted to form a red azo- dye. The intensity of the colour produced is proportional to the nitrate level and determined by using the Palintest Photometer. </br></br> <table width="349" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 131.65px;"> <strong>mg/L N</strong> </td> <td style="width: 174.4px;"> <strong>Standard Interpretation</strong> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 131.65px;"> 0 &ndash; 2 </td> <td style="width: 174.4px;"> Low 1 </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 131.65px;"> 2 &ndash; 4 </td> <td style="width: 174.4px;"> Low 2 </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 131.65px;"> 4 &ndash; 6 </td> <td style="width: 174.4px;"> Low 3 </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 131.65px;"> 6 &ndash; 8 </td> <td style="width: 174.4px;"> Low 4 </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 131.65px;"> 8 &ndash; 9.76 </td> <td style="width: 174.4px;"> Low 5 </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -61.592372 -57.677666 -52.465014 -50.994035 Phosphate Unit: mg/L P </br></br> Methodology: Palintest (SOIL.5/P) Photometer method 640nm. Air dry topsoil is extracted using 0.5 M sodium bicarbonate at a soil water ratio 1:25. The extracted phosphate is reacted with ammonium molybdate under reducing/acidic conditions to form a blue coloured complex. The intensity of the blue colour is proportional to the phosphate level in the soil sample and is determined using the Palintest Photometer. </br></br> <table width="387" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="117"> <strong>mg/L P</strong> </td> <td width="193"> <strong>Standard</strong><strong> Interpretation</strong> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="117"> 3 &ndash; 10 </td> <td width="193"> deficient for all crops </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="117"> 10 &ndash; 15 </td> <td width="193"> low for all crops </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="117"> 15 &ndash; 25 </td> <td width="193"> adequate for grassland </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="117"> 25 &ndash; 45 </td> <td width="193"> adequate for grassland </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="117"> 45 &ndash; 80 </td> <td width="193"> adequate for most outdoor crops </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -61.592372 -57.677666 -52.465014 -50.994035 Potassium Unit: mg/L K </br></br> Methodology: Palintest (SOIL.5/K) Photometer method 520 nm. Air dry topsoil is extracted using a 0.1M magnesium acetate solution at a soil water ratio 1:25. The extracted potassium is reacted with sodium tetraphenylboron to form an insoluble white complex. The degree of turbidity is proportional to the potassium level in the soil sample and is determined by using a Palintest Photometer. </br></br> Interpretation: Potassium values are generally low in the Falkland Islands but are adequate for grazing pastures in most areas. </br></br> Categories (discrete):</br> -2 water</br> -1 rocks / built-up area</br></br> <table width="509" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="124"> <strong>mg/L K</strong> </td> <td width="215"> <strong>Standard Interpretation</strong> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="124"> 40-60 </td> <td width="215"> deficient for all crops </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="124"> 60-120 </td> <td width="215"> low for all crops </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="124"> 120-240 </td> <td width="215"> adequate for grazing </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="124"> 240-400 </td> <td width="215"> adequate for silage </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="124"> 400-600 </td> <td width="215"> adequate for most glasshouse crops </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="124"> 600-867 </td> <td width="215"> adequate for potatoes </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -61.592372 -57.677666 -52.465014 -50.994035 Magnesium Unit: mg/L Mg </br></br> Methodology: Palintest (SOIL.7) Photometer method 520 nm. Air dry topsoil is extracted using 1M potassium chloride at a soil water ratio 1:25. The extracted and exchanged magnesium is then reacted to form a yellow colour in the absence of magnesium. The intensity of the orange colour is proportional to the magnesium level in the soil sample and is determined by using a Palintest Photometer. </br></br> Interpretation: An adequate level for grassland and forage crops can be assumed for most of the Falkland Islands. </br></br> Categories (discrete):</br> -2 water</br> -1 rocks / built-up area</br></br> <table width="349" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="147"> <strong>mg/L Mg</strong> </td> <td width="259"> <strong>Standard Interpretation</strong> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="147"> 50 &ndash; 100 </td> <td width="259"> adequate for grassland and cereals </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="147"> 100 &ndash; 175 </td> <td width="259"> adequate for most outdoor crops </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="147"> 175 &ndash; 350 </td> <td width="259"> adequate for most glasshouse crops </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="147"> 350 &ndash; 600 </td> <td width="259"> adequate for tomatoes </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="147"> 600 &ndash; 1105 </td> <td width="259"> excessive </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -61.592372 -57.677666 -52.465014 -50.994035 Calcium Unit: mg/L Ca </br></br> Methodology: Palintest (SOIL. 11) tablet count method. Air dry topsoil is extracted using 1M potassium chloride at a soil ratio 1:5. The exchanged and extracted calcium is then determined by the Palintest tablet count method. Tablets are added to a sample of the extract one at a time until the colour changes from pink to violet. The result of the test is calculated from the number of tablets added to the extracted sample. Calcium (mg/L Ca) = Number of tablets x 250. </br></br> Interpretation: Low to medium values can be assumed for most of the Falkland Islands. </br></br> Categories (discrete):</br> -2 water</br> -1 rocks / built-up area</br></br> <table width="349" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="285"> <strong>mg/L Ca</strong> </td> <td width="285"> <strong>Standard Interpretation</strong> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="285"> 130 &ndash; 750 </td> <td width="285"> Very Low </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="285"> 750 &ndash; 1000 </td> <td width="285"> Low </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="285"> 1000 &ndash; 1350 </td> <td width="285"> Medium 1 </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="285"> 1350 &ndash; 1693 </td> <td width="285"> Medium 2 </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -61.592372 -57.677666 -52.465014 -50.994035 Aluminium Unit: meq/100g </br></br> Methodology: Air dry topsoil was used to test for exchangeable aluminium with the 1M KCl method. </br></br> Interpretation: Aluminium concentrations are generally very high in the Falkland Islands, mostly related to low pH, and aluminium toxicity may be a problem in many areas. However, high organic matter has the potential to alleviate this effect through organic compounds binding with the available aluminium. The extent to which this is happening in the Falklands is unclear and in order to interpret the high aluminium values recorded in this project correctly, further work is required. </br></br> Categories (discrete):</br> -2 water</br> -1 rocks / built-up area</br></br> <table width="292" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="276"> <strong>1M KCl Exchangeable Aluminium (meq/100g)</strong> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="276"> 0 &ndash; 1.0 </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="276"> 1.0 &ndash; 2.5 </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="276"> 2.5 &ndash; 5 </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="276"> 5 &ndash; 7.5 </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="276"> 7.5 &ndash; 12.81 </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -61.592372 -57.677666 -52.465014 -50.994035 Chloride Unit: mg/L Cl </br></br> Methodology: Palintest (SOIL.12.) Tablet count method. Air dry topsoil is extracted with deionised water at a soil water ratio of 1:5. The extracted chloride is tested by the Palintest tablet count method. Tablets are added to a sample of the extract one at a time until the colour changes from yellow to brown. The result of the test is calculated from the number of tablets added to the extract sample. Chloride (mg/L Cl) = (Number of tablets -1) x 125 </br></br> Interpretation: No salinity sensitivity present across the values in the Falkland Islands. </br></br> Categories (discrete):</br> -2 water</br> -1 rocks / built-up area</br></br> <table width="349" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="286"> <strong>mg/L Cl</strong> </td> <td width="286"> <strong>Standard Interpretation</strong> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="286"> 125 &ndash; 200 </td> <td width="286"> No salinity sensitivity </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="286"> 200 &ndash; 300 </td> <td width="286"> No salinity sensitivity </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="286"> 300 &ndash; 400 </td> <td width="286"> No salinity sensitivity </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="286"> 400 &ndash; 600 </td> <td width="286"> No salinity sensitivity </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="286"> 600 &ndash; 1016 </td> <td width="286"> No salinity sensitivity </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -61.592372 -57.677666 -52.465014 -50.994035 Physical_Properties CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -61.592372 -57.677666 -52.465014 -50.994035 Bulk_Density Unit: g/cm³</br></br> Methodology: A core of a known volume was extracted from the topsoil. Mass of oven-dried soil was divided by the core volume.</br></br> Interpretation: Bulk density takes into account the amount of porosity present in the soil and the density of the solid material. A higher bulk density value indicates higher compaction and less porosity. In peat soils the bulk density is always very low (<1.0 g/cm³). Undecomposed peats have the lowest bulk density; as decomposition increases, organic particle size decreases which leads to smaller pores and thereby increasing bulk density.</br></br>Categories (discrete): </br>-2 water</br>-1 rocks / built-up area</br></br><table width=\"349\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"><tbody><tr><td width=\"286\"><strong>Bulk Density</strong></td><td width=\"286\"><strong>Standard Interpretation</strong></td></tr><tr><td width=\"286\">0.00 - 0.20 g/cm³</td><td width=\"286\">Very Low</td></tr><tr><td width=\"286\">0.20 - 0.40 g/cm³</td><td width=\"286\">Very Low</td></tr><tr><td width=\"286\">0.40 - 0.60 g/cm³</td><td width=\"286\">Very Low</td></tr><tr><td width=\"286\">0.60 - 1.00 g/cm³</td><td width=\"286\">Very Low</td></tr><td width=\"286\">1.00 - 1.37 g/cm³</td><td width=\"286\">Low</td></tr></tbody></table> CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -61.592372 -57.677666 -52.465014 -50.994035 Resistance_to_Penetration___Soil_Strength Unit: MPa </br></br> Methodology: An Eijkelkamp Penetrologger was used to measure soil strength. Cone type: 1.0 cm 260 deg. Penetration speed L 2cm / s. Five repeat measurements at each location were made and these were averaged for the top 20 cm soil. </br></br> Interpretation: The penetrologger measures the force that is required to push the blunt point into the soil and gives an indication on the resistance roots growing into the soil will face. In Falkland soils lower resistance can be expected in wet organic topsoil with low fibre content; higher resistance indicates either abundant root material combined with low soil moisture or a transition into the mineral subsoil at < 20cm. </br></br> Categories (discrete):</br> -2 water</br> -1 rocks / built-up area</br></br> <table width="359" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="183"> <strong>Penetration resistance (MPa)</strong> </td> <td width="146"> <strong>Degree of consolidation</strong> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="183"> 0.6 &ndash; 1.5 </td> <td width="146"> medium </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="183"> 1.5 &ndash; 2.0 </td> <td width="146"> dense </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="183"> 2.0 &ndash; 3.0 </td> <td width="146"> very dense </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="183"> 3.0 &ndash; 4.1 </td> <td width="146"> extremely dense </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -61.592372 -57.677666 -52.465014 -50.994035 Unrubbed_Fibre Unit: percentage </br></br> Methodology: From a representative sample of fresh topsoil of a moisture content as received two 10 g subsamples are retrieved. One is dried at 105°C overnight, or to a constant weight, to determine the moisture content. The other sample is placed with 2 g Calgon detergent and 200 ml de-ionised water into a flask, shaken and left to stand overnight. The next morning the flask is shaken by hand thoroughly for 1 minute and then poured over a brass screen of 100 mesh size. The soil is washed on the screen and a 2% HCl solution is added to dissolve any carbonates present in the soil. The screen plus fibrous material over 0.15mm are dried at 105°C overnight. The dried weight of the fibrous material is weighed. To calculate the results, divide the total dry weight from the first subsample into the weight of fibres over 0.15mm from the second subsample and multiply by 100. This gives the percent fibre content over 0.15mm in size. </br></br> Interpretation: Fibre content in organic soils gives an indication on the degree of decomposition; the higher the fibre content, the lower the degree of decomposition </br></br> Categories (discrete):</br> -2 water</br> -1 rocks / built-up area</br></br> <table width="349" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="286"> <strong>Fibre content</strong> </td> <td width="286"> <strong>Degree of Decomposition</strong> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="79"> 2.4-16% </td> <td width="492"> Sapric (most highly decomposed, identifiable fibre makes up less than one third) </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="79"> 16-33% </td> <td width="492"> Sapric (most highly decomposed, identifiable fibre makes up less than one third) </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="79"> 33-50% </td> <td width="492"> Hemic (intermediate stage of decomposition) </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="79"> 50-66% </td> <td width="492"> Hemic (intermediate stage of decomposition) </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="79"> 66-83% </td> <td width="492"> Fibric (fibrous, early stage of decomposition, identifiable fibre makes up at least two thirds of the organic matter) </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="79"> 83-100% </td> <td width="492"> Fibric (fibrous, early stage of decomposition, identifiable fibre makes up at least two thirds of the organic matter) </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -61.592372 -57.677666 -52.465014 -50.994035 Organic_Matter Unit: percentage </br></br> Methodology: A sample (5-10 g) of air-dry topsoil was dried at 105 °C and weighed; this was placed in a furnace at 500 °C for at least 6 hours and re-weighed. Organic matter percentage = (1 – (ash weight/dry soil weight)) * 100. </br></br> Interpretation: The high organic matter (>20 %) in the topsoil in most places indicates the presence of an organic topsoil as opposed to a mineral topsoil. </br></br> Categories (discrete):</br> -2 water</br> -1 rocks / built-up area</br></br> <table width="358" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="135"> <strong>Percentage OM</strong> </td> <td width="193"> <strong>Soil Type</strong> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="135"> 2.4 &ndash; 6% </td> <td width="193"> Mineral soil </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="135"> 6 &ndash; 20% </td> <td width="193"> Organic mineral soil </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="135"> 20 &ndash; 35% </td> <td width="193"> Peaty loam or peaty sand </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="135"> 35 &ndash; 50% </td> <td width="193"> Loamy peat or sandy peat </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="135"> 50 &ndash; 70% </td> <td width="193"> Peat </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="135"> 70 &ndash; 85% </td> <td width="193"> Peat </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="135"> 85 &ndash; 100% </td> <td width="193"> Peat </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -61.592372 -57.677666 -52.465014 -50.994035 Microbiology CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -60.88055 -57.751188 -52.1479 -51.236156 Bacteria_and_Archaea <b>Archaea</b> </br> Domain of life that was discovered in 1977 through sequence analysis of ribosomal DNA. They are single-celled organisms that lack organelles and a nucleus that would separate the DNA form the rest of the cell content. All Archaea have 16S rRNA gene in their DNA. There are several major phyla including Crenarchaeota, Euryarchaeota, and Thaumarchaeota. Some archaea groups are important for the nitrogen cycling in aquatic and terrestrial environments. <br><br> <b>Bacteria</b> <br> Bacteria are single-celled or filamentous organisms that lack organelles and have no nucleus. The DNA is a single string of nucleotides. All bacteria have 16S rRNA gene in their DNA, which encodes the small subunit of the ribosomal RNA needed during DNA duplication. <br><br> More information can be found <a href="https://www.south-atlantic-research.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Introduction-to-microbial-diversity_final2.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>. CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -60.88055 -57.751188 -52.1479 -51.236156 Fungi Fungi Fungi are eukaryotes that have a heterotrophic physiology which entails gaining their energy from organic matter generated by other organisms. Fungi cannot do photosynthesis. There are macrofungi that are known for forming large macroscopic fruiting structures and there are microfungi that are nearly invisible to the naked eye. Fungi include symbionts of plants, animals, or other fungi and also parasites. Fungi are important for the decomposition of organic matter such as leaf litter. More information can be found here. CRS:84 EPSG:4326 EPSG:3857 EPSG:32721 -60.88055 -57.751188 -52.1479 -51.236156