The works of N.N. Rozov in the field of the geography and ecology of world soils

The contribution of N.N. Rozov to the development of our knowledge about the geography and ecology of soils of the Soviet Union and the world is discussed. It is shown how the scientific discussions with participation of Rozov were gradually transformed into the contents of the Soil Map of the World (1975), and how the soil-bioclimatic approach toward mapping developed by Rozov was combined with the geochemical approach and realized in the map. A poorly known work on the soil-ecological regionalization of the world performed by Rozov and published in the Resources and Environment World Atlas in 1998 (12 years after Rozov’s death) is analyzed. Up to now, this work remains an unsurpassed compendium of data on soil regimes.     

Soil cover patterns in the Tugnuisk Depression of the Transbaikal region

A map of soil cover patterns in the Tugnuisk Depression of the Transbaikal region has been compiled on a scale of 1:500 000. This map contains information on the distribution of soil complexes and soil combinations and on the genetic and geometric characteristics of soil areas. It is derived from the original large-scale soil maps. The theory of soil cover patterns was used as the basis for cartographic generalization. This made it possible to preserve information on soil types and subtypes identified on the original maps and to show the real distribution pattern for all the components of the soil cover.     

Soil cover patterns in the Dzhida Depression and their representation on the soil map of 1: 500000 scale

A map of the soil cover patterns in the Dzhida Depression (Baikal region) has been compiled on a scale of 1: 500 000. The grouping of the soil cover patterns into larger categories makes it possible to retain the information contained on large-scale soil maps upon their generalization to the small-scale soil map. The latter displays the regularities of soil distribution at the levels of soil types and subtypes. The areas of the major soil groups have been calculated. It is shown that podburs predominate in the northern taiga ecosystems (72%), whereas acid soddy taiga soils (71%) and podburs (22%) predominate in the middle taiga zone. Minor areas in these zones are occupied by podzolic soils (9%) and permafrost-affected taiga gley soils (14%).     

Modern aspects of agropedology: The development of the agronomic and agrarian ideas of N.N. Rozov

The agronomic and agrarian ideas advanced by N.N. Rozov are of great interest for us in the context of the practical application of pedology for the development of agriculture. Soil grouping for evaluating the quality of agricultural lands, soil assessment from the agroecological and agroeconomic viewpoints, and the modeling of soil fertility ensure the more efficient use of soil resources for agricultural purposes and the development of the State Land Cadaster.     

Large‐scale soil maps and a supplementary database for land use planning in Estonia

A soil map at the scale 1:10,000 serves as a major important document for land owners and local governments, which allows them to use soil information in their daily activity. The intensity of exploitation of soil maps will increase when the very map and its legend are supplemented, within colored and indexed polygons, with information about soil texture and reaction by layers, but also about the thickness and characterization of the epipedon, quality indices for soil assessment, classes of stoniness, and prevalent fractions of stones, erosion risk, etc. Special maps of agronomical status, with a list of proper measures for improvement of soils and their associations, should form a regular component of large‐scale mapping. As decrease in arable land and increase in the forest area are common trends in land use, these maps and general soil data should serve as the fundamental source of information for decision making concerning land use. Data indicating the suitability of any soil for any crop should be entered in a database. Application of GIS on any level of national economy, digitization of a large‐scale soil database and making it accessible to land users would allow to expand the amount of available information for each soil map polygon.     

Computer production of soil maps,II. Interactive map display

A microcomputer system for interactive display of soil maps is described. The maps are stored and manipulated as finely spared run-length encoded grids and are displayed on a colour VDU console.Maps of considerable complexity can be viewed at any desired scale using a combination of foreground and background colours with a specific printing character to represent each displayed map unit. Storage of maps on floppy discs makes it possible to store large numbers of maps of any given area and these maps may be “overlaid” to produce composite maps.The entire system for displaying and overlaying these maps is implemented on a microcomputer with no specialized equipment except for a colour VDU console which adds only about US $1000 (over the price of a monochrome VDU) to the total system cost. The algorithms used are presented and can be efficiently implemented on any microcomputer with sufficient mass storage to hold the required map files (typically less than 10 k byte/ map). The microcomputer is used as a stand-alone device and does not depend on datalines or any other computer.Although the system was developed for manipulation and retrieval of computer-generated thematic maps produced by a computer mapping system under development at our laboratory it could equally well be used for suitably reformatted maps derived from any source.     

Digitized version of the state soil map on a scale of 1 : 1 M: Problems and solutions

Problems of the creation of a high-quality digitized version of the State Soil Map (SSM) on a scale of 1 : 1 M for the European part of Russia are discussed. Sheets of the SSM have been compiled for the entire territory of Russia. For the European part of Russia, they have been digitized, and a corresponding geographic information system has been created. At present, the attribute database to the map is being developed. In the course of the digitization of separate sheets of the map and the creation of a general legend, certain drawbacks of the map have been revealed. They are related to the insufficient completeness of information on the genesis of soil-forming rocks shown on different sheets; to the inconsistency in the names of some soils; and to the use of the same conventional signs for describing the soil texture in the upper horizons and in the parent material, which is incorrect in the case of texture-differentiated soils. The reasons for these drawbacks of the original map are explained. It is stressed that the SSM is a highly informative map that has played a crucial role in the development of pedology and soil cartography in Russia. A digitized version of this map makes it possible to introduce certain corrections to the original map sheets. The essence of the first stage of the work on the correction of the SSM in the digitized version and the methods applied for this purpose are characterized. Problems related to the creation of the database for the digitized version of this map are also discussed.     

State soil map of the Russian federation: An ArcInfo version

The results of the first stage of works on the creation of a digital version of the State Soil Map (SSM) in vector and raster formats are discussed. The inventory of all the sheets of the SSM has been performed. The map has been vectorized in strict correspondence to the scale and projections of the initial map sheets in paper format; i.e., the digitized version of the map exactly reproduces the soil polygons shown on the original map sheets. The methods and challenges of digital soil cartography are considered. With respect to the SSM, the importance of two major advantages of the digitized version of this map is emphasized: (a) the preservation of the initial materials in the new electronic formats and (b) the possibility to improve the map with the use of new materials, including satellite images, digital elevation models, and various thematic maps after the transformation of their scales and projections. The analysis of the SSM in the vector format makes it possible to systematize and formulate the major problems and difficulties related to this project and to suggest the particular technologies and methods of their solution; certain directions requiring the elaboration of new methods are outlined. The final goal of the project on the development of the digital version of the SSM is the creation of a unified consistent soil map of Russia on a scale of 1: 1 M.     

Using summed individual species models and state-of-the-art modelling techniques to identify threatened plant species hotspots

Reliable identification of hotspot areas with high numbers of threatened plant species has a central role in conservation planning. We investigated the potentiality of identifying the distribution, richness and hotspots of threatened plant species at a 25 ha resolution using eight state-of-the-art modelling techniques (GLM, GAM, MARS, ANN, CTA, GBM, MDA and RF) in a taiga landscape in north-eastern Finland. First, the individual species models developed based on occurrence records of 28 species in the 1677 grid squares and derived from different statistical techniques were extrapolated to the whole study area of 41 750 km². Second, the projected presence/absence maps were then combined to create species richness maps, and the top 5% of grid cells ranked by species richness were classified as hotspots. Finally, we created an overall summary map by combining the individual hotspot maps from all eight modelling techniques and identified areas where the individual hotspots maps overlapped most. There were distinguishing differences in projections of the geographic patterns of species richness and hotspots between the modelling techniques. Most of the modelling techniques predicted several hotspot locations sporadically around the study area. However, the overall summary map showed the highest predictive performance based on Kappa statistics, indicating that the locations where the hotspot maps from the eight models coincided most harboured highest observed species richness. Moreover, the summary map filtered out the patchy structures of individual hotspot maps. The results show that the choice of modelling technique may affect the accuracy and prediction of hotspot patterns. Such differences may hamper the development of useful biodiversity model applications for conservation planning, and thus it is beneficial if the conservation decision-making can be based on sets of alternative maps and overlaying of predictions from multiple models.     

Soil mapping for land‐use planning in a karst area of N Thailand with due consideration of local knowledge

For the development of sustainable land‐management systems in the highlands of N Thailand, detailed knowledge about soil distribution and soil properties is a prerequisite. Yet to date, there are hardly any detailed soil maps available on a watershed scale. In this study, soil maps on watershed level were evaluated with regard to their suitability for agricultural land‐use planning. In addition to common scientific methods (as underlying the WRB classification), participatory methods were used to exploit local knowledge about soils and to document it in a “Local Soil Map”. Where the WRB classification identified eight soil units, the farmers distinguished only five on the basis of soil color and “hardness”. The “Local Soil Map” shows little resemblance with the detailed, patchy pattern of the WRB‐based soil map. On the contrary, the “Local Soil Map” is fairly similar to the petrographic map suggesting that soil color is directly related to parent material. The farmers' perception about soil fertility and soil suitability for cropping could be confirmed by analytical data. We conclude that integrating local soil knowledge, petrographic information, and knowledge of local cropping practices allows for a rapid compilation of information for land‐evaluation purposes at watershed level. It is the most efficient way to build a base for regional land‐use planning.     

Effectiveness of biodiversity indicators varies with extent, grain, and region

The use of indicator taxa for conservation planning is common, despite inconsistent evidence regarding their effectiveness. These inconsistencies may be the result of differences among species and taxonomic groups studied, geographic location, or scale of analysis. The scale of analysis can be defined by grain and extent, which are often confounded. Grain is the size of each observational unit and extent is the size of the entire study area. Using species occurrence records compiled by NatureServe from survey data, range maps, and expert opinion, we examined correlations in species richness between each of seven taxa (amphibians, birds, butterflies, freshwater fish, mammals, freshwater mussels, and reptiles) and total richness of the remaining six taxa at varying grains and extents in two regions of the US (Mid-Atlantic and Pacific Northwest). We examined four different spatial units of interest: hexagon (∼649 km²), subecoregion (3800-34,000 km²), ecoregion (8300-79,000 km²), and geographic region (315,000-426,000 km²). We analyzed the correlations with varying extent of analysis (grain held constant at the hexagon) and varying grain (extent held constant at the region). The strength of correlation among taxa was context dependent, varying widely with grain, extent, region, and taxon. This suggests that (1) taxon, grain, extent, and study location explain, in part, inconsistent results of previous studies; (2) planning based on indicator relationships developed at other grains or extents should be undertaken cautiously; and (3) planning based on indicator relationships developed in other geographic locations is risky, even if planning occurs at an equivalent grain and extent.     

Soil-forming materials and soil texture as shown on small-scale soil maps

Information about the soil-forming materials and soil texture shown on pages of the State Soil Map (SSS) on a 1: 1 M scale, the Soil Map of the Russian Federation on a 1: 2.5 M, and several other small-scale soil maps is analyzed. Certain discrepancies exist in the approaches used to display this information, in the names of the soil textural classes and genetic groups of soil-forming materials, and in the degree of detail of their representation on separate pages of the SSS and on other soil maps compiled by different authors. To eliminate these discrepancies, it is suggested that the soil classification should be supplemented with a special section containing systematized information on the soil-forming materials existing in Russia. The manuals on soil mapping on different scales should be supplemented with recommendations on showing the soil texture and the composition of the soil-forming materials on the maps.     

Experience in digital mapping of soil cover patterns

Methodological problems of large-scale soil mapping with the use of digital mapping technologies are discussed. Two variants of obtaining the maps of soil combinations for a test polygon (30 km²) in the area of soddy-podzolic soils with 996 studied soil pits are described. In the first variant, the initial state of soils at studied points was characterized by the taxonomic name of the soil (at the level of soil subtypes); the probability of occurrence of different subtypes within operation cells of the digital map was estimated, and the most probable soil subtypes were assigned to them. This approach was tested for the first time. In the second variant, the initial state of soils at studied points was described with the help of the grades of ecologically meaningful features of soil morphology; the degree of soil gleying and the degree of soil erosion or aggradation were indicated. The integral digital map represented the areas of different agroecological groups of soil combinations. The maps obtained with the help of these two approaches show a satisfactory agreement with the maps of soil cover patterns compiled by traditional methods earlier.     

不同比例尺农用地分等图件数据自动汇总技术研究

基于GIS手段，在农用地分等成果省级汇总过程中，从迅速实现半自动制图综合、部分关键参数和系数的获取，快速自动实现图层间图斑上下级关系索引、保持各农用地图层数据之间的等别不缺失等几个关键过程的技术层面对不同比例尺农用地分等成果汇总的快速自动实现方法进行研究。着重对最近邻法的原理与方法进行了阐述，并应用其对农用地图件进行了处理，实现只有少量人为参与的不同比例尺农用地分等图件图斑的计算机自动匹配过程。结果表明，研究成果可以在提高农用地图件自动综合处理能力、快速建立不同图层间图斑对应关系、各级别图件的等别序列一致性调整等方面工作朝着自动化流程处理、精确化表达的方向更进一步。     

Soil map of the Russian Arctic on a 1 : 1 M scale: Contents and compilation methods

A new soil map of the Russian Arctic on a scale of 1 : 1 M shows the soil cover in the north of Eurasia and on the islands of the Arctic Ocean to the north of 68° N. This map has been developed in a geoinformation system in the vector format with the wide use of remote sensing data. The delineated soil polygons show dominant and accompanying soils and the structure of soil cover patterns with indication of soil associations and soil complexes, the character of parent materials, and the topographic conditions. The map of the soil-geographic zoning of the Russian Arctic developed on the basis of the soil map differs from its earlier analogues in a greater degree of detail. The soil map of the Russian Arctic on a scale of 1 : 1 M displays the most detailed information on the soil cover patterns and can be used for solving various problems related to the exploration and development of this territory. Soil names from the new classification system of Russian soils [10] have been introduced into the legend of the map. New soil information and the use of remote sensing data have made it possible to enlarge the number of soil polygons shown on the map and to correct their boundaries in comparison with previous soil maps of the Russian Arctic.     

THE RELATION BETWEEN COST AND UTILITY IN SOIL SURVEY

This paper discusses how to compare the utility of soil maps. For three contrasting areas, in Southern England, it compares the utilities of a number of single-property and general purpose (series) soil maps, produced by free and grid survey, at map scales from 1 :20,000–1:70,000. The‘purity’of series mapping units increases with survey effort. Where the soil boundaries had fairly clear external expression free survey was superior to grid survey. On average the purity of maps by grid survey was higher than for maps by free survey at comparable survey effort. The uniformity of soil properties within mapping units was measured by relative variance (RV)= within-unit variance/total variance, (1–RV) indicates the increased precision achieved by the soil map. It increased with survey effort. For series maps by free or grid survey (1–RV) depended on how closely soil properties were associated with profile classes, and on the extent to which soil boundaries could be mapped on their external expression. Free survey was preferred at scales between 1: 100,000 and 1:30,000, when the soil boundaries could be mapped on their external expression, (1–RV) for the profile classes on which the mapping units are defined puts a ceiling to the utility of series maps (grid or free) which is already nearly achieved at map scales near 1:25,000. Except for properties very poorly associated with profile classes, single property maps do not have great advantage over series maps at medium map scales, but they attain higher values of (1–RV) at scales greater than 1: 25,000.     

基于土壤-环境关系的更新传统土壤图研究

传统土壤图是流域管理、生态水文模型所需土壤空间分布信息的主要数据源。然而,受传统制图技术和基础数据质量所限,传统土壤图的空间详细度和属性精确度并不高。随着地理信息技术的发展,如何利用可获取的高质量空间数据和现代空间分析技术来更新传统土壤图显得十分必要。基于传统土壤图中的土壤多边形与通过模糊聚类所得环境因子组合之间存在着对应关系这一假设,本文提出了一种从传统土壤图中提取土壤-环境关系知识并利用该知识更新传统土壤图的方法。该方法包括四个步骤:对环境数据进行模糊c均值聚类获取环境因子组合;利用传统土壤图建立环境因子组合与土壤类型间的对应关系;提取土壤-环境关系知识;进行土壤推理制图。将该方法应用于加拿大New B runsw ick省的W akefield研究区,以更新该区现有的1∶20 000的传统土壤图。应用结果表明:更新后的数字土壤图显示了更详细的空间分布信息;经野外独立验证点验证,所得土壤图(制图单元为土壤组合-排水等级)精度高出原土壤图约20%。因此,该方法是一种有效的更新传统土壤图的方法,可增加土壤图的空间详细度、提高土壤图的属性精确度。     

The compilation of measurement based European wet deposition maps of acidifying components and base cations

Precipitation concentrations in 1989 on a European scale were obtained from national organisations responsible for wet deposition monitoring in their countries and from the EMEP database. In total, results from about 750 monitoring locations scattered over Europe were gathered. Spatial analysis based on Regionalised Variable Theory revealed auto-correlation in all ion concentrations and reasonable bounded models were fitted to the experimental variograms. Maps of concentrations of acidifying components and base cations were compiled on a 50×50 km scale using the block-kriging interpolation technique. To obtain fluxes, concentrations were multiplied by long-term mean precipitation amounts from the EPA database. An extensive uncertainty analysis was performed to assess the quality of the maps.     

Long-term dynamics of the anthropogenic salinization of soils in Moscow (by the example of the Eastern district)

The long-term (1989–2010) and seasonal dynamics of the anthropogenic salinization of soils related to the use of deicing mixtures in the Eastern Administrative District of Moscow were examined. Data on the chemical composition of deicing mixtures and on the contents of soluble salts in the snowmelt and in the soil profiles of different functional zones were analyzed. The maps of soil salinization were compiled for 1989, 2005, and 2010; on their basis, the resulting map of the degree of soil degradation was developed. The areas with abnormal concentration of salts in the soils expanded during the study period (21 yrs), and the average content of salts in such areas increased by 3.2 times. The maximum total content of salts was found in the spring season in the soils along major highways.