Soil map
A soil map ( pedological map ) is a two-dimensional representation of the spatial distribution of soils - the so-called soil landscape - in a certain area. The representation usually takes place in the form of colored and / or hatched areas.
Creation
The database for creating a soil map is obtained through soil mapping (in Germany, on the part of the authorities, through the soil science survey). It is determined where in the terrain which soils occur. The individual occurrences are then plotted and interpolated on a topographic map . The mapping is usually carried out on a relatively large scale (e.g. 1: 25,000) and with a relatively detailed soil breakdown that takes into account a relatively large number of soil properties. The small-scale regional soil maps (e.g. 1: 100,000 or 1: 1,000,000) are then created from these locally obtained data.
In the form of presentation and in the method of their creation, soil maps are similar to geological maps . In addition, naturally, the spatial distribution correlates various soils with the spatial distribution of the respective, below the floors pending parent rock (see FIG. Pedogenese ), but on the one hand can emerge similar soils from different parent material, on the other hand, different soils from similar starting rocks.
Depth of detail according to scale ranges
- Soil maps of large scales (1: 10,000, 1: 5,000, for special individual projects also larger) differentiate soils even further in the respective systematics or classification and list other properties such as soil type , groundwater, etc.
- At medium scales (1: 25,000 to 1: 50,000) the thematic focus is mostly on the individual - predominant - soil types . Additional features are explained in legends.
- Small scale maps (1: 100,000 and smaller) usually show societies of soils .
Structure according to subject areas
- Maps of the soil types ( soil genetic maps) are the most common form of application. Here, the soils are classified according to pedological schemes (e.g. brown earth or podsol).
- Maps of the soil types , as they are determined during studies of the agricultural land (e.g. clay, sand or peat soil).
- Soil quality and soil appraisal maps are kept at the state survey offices and the Federal Institute for Regional Studies. They relate to surveys on soil quality and yield indicators and illustrate the agricultural uses.
Web links
- Soil science maps and databases on the BGR website
Individual evidence
- ^ Herbert Wilhelmy: Cartography in key words. Verlag Ferdinand Hirt, 5th edition, Unterägeri 1990, pp. 258ff