A seventeen-year soil analysis dataset for ecosystem management

Area of Science:

• Agronomy
• Soil Science
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Soil analysis is crucial for sustainable agriculture and environmental management.
• Reunion Island faces challenges in soil health due to agricultural practices.
• Long-term soil monitoring is essential for informed policy-making.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compile and present a comprehensive 17-year soil analysis dataset for Reunion Island.
• To support the development of an agronomic decision-support tool.
• To enable monitoring of soil degradation and inform public policy.

Main Methods:

• Compilation of 266,304 soil analysis records from 2008-2024.
• Analysis of numerous chemical and physical soil properties using standardized physicochemical methods.
• High sampling density and temporal repetition for local-scale insights.

Main Results:

• The Sol_Run dataset offers detailed soil property information (pH, CEC, nutrients).
• It provides a foundation for specific liming and fertilization recommendations.
• The data reveals long-term soil degradation trends, such as acidification.

Conclusions:

• The Sol_Run dataset is a valuable resource for local agronomic decision-making and soil management.
• It enhances understanding of soil dynamics at a local scale, complementing global data.
• The dataset aids in validating soil modeling tools and informing environmental policies.