A GIS based method for soil mapping in Sardinia, Italy: a geomatic approach

Area of Science:

• * Soil Science
• * Geosciences
• * Land Use Planning

Background:

• * A project to create a 1:50,000 scale Land Unit and Soil Capability Map of Sardinia has been initiated.
• * The map aims to support effective land use planning.
• * The project utilizes a Geographic Information System (GIS) approach.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To outline the project structure and methods for the Sardinia map.
• * To predict soil classes and properties using the soil-landscape paradigm.
• * To integrate digital data and existing soil information for map creation.

Main Methods:

• * Processing and classifying digital data (land cover, geology, topography) based on weathering and soil property influence.
• * Collecting, reviewing, validating, and standardizing existing soil data (areal and point).
• * Merging digital and soil data using expert interpretation to create a draft Land Unit Map.

Main Results:

• * A draft Land Unit Map has been produced through expert interpretation of processed digital data.
• * Existing soil data has been collected, validated, and standardized.
• * A database for project-specific point soil data has been established.

Conclusions:

• * The project is progressing through two phases to produce a comprehensive Land Unit and Soil Capability Map.
• * The map will be finalized by integrating soil data and field verification.
• * Land capability classes will be assigned to land units using a project-specific reference table.