High-resolution continuous soil classification using morphological soil profile descriptions

摘要: Soil grid data were gathered from 156 points in the 30-ha Muizen forest (Ranst, Belgium). At each point, soil profiles examined morphologically by augering to 120-cm depth. In laboratory, pH(KCl) was determined on samples every horizon. To allow numerical analyses, all morphological attributes given ordinal scores. The analysis consisted of two parts. First, master horizons split up into subtypes using Principal Components Analysis and a non-hierarchical clustering technique. This necessary overcome problem anisotropy profiles, which makes it impossible pool analyse them together. Next, distinguished horizon used as input for continuous profile classification with ‘fuzzy k-means extragrades’ algorithm. Five different classes plus an extragrade class distinguished. exhibited fair degree spatial autocorrelation correlated well Belgian Map. The technique developed ensures compatibility national or global systems based diagnostic properties one hand production high-resolution local use other. Furthermore, allows reanalysis optimisation previous surveys.