BOREAS Soils Data over the SSA in Raster Format and AEAC Projection

Summary

This data set consists of GIS layers that describe the soils of the
BOREAS SSA. The original data were submitted as vector layers that were
gridded by BOREAS staff to a 30-meter pixel size in the AEAC projection.
These data layers include the soil code (which relates to the soil
name), modifier (which also relates to the soil name), and extent
(indicating the extent that this soil exists within the polygon). There
are three sets of these layers representing the primary, secondary, and
tertiary soil characteristics. Thus, there is a total of nine layers in
this data set along with supporting files. The data are stored in
binary, image format files.

Note that several files of this data set on the BOREAS CD-ROMs have been
compressed using the Gzip program. See section 8.2 for details.

Table of Contents

\* 1 Data Set Overview

\* 2 Investigator(s)

\* 3 Theory of Measurements

\* 4 Equipment

\* 5 Data Acquisition Methods

\* 6 Observations

\* 7 Data Description

\* 8 Data Organization

\* 9 Data Manipulations

\* 10 Errors

\* 11 Notes

\* 12 Application of the Data Set

\* 13 Future Modifications and Plans

\* 14 Software

\* 15 Data Access

\* 16 Output Products and Availability

\* 17 References

\* 18 Glossary of Terms

\* 19 List of Acronyms

\* 20 Document Information

1\. Data Set Overview

1.1 Data Set Identification

BOREAS Soils Data over the SSA in Raster Format and AEAC Projection

1.2 Data Set Introduction

This data set consists of Geographic Information System (GIS) layers
that describe the soils of the BOReal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study
(BOREAS) Southern Study Are (SSA). The original data were submitted as
vector layers that were gridded by BOREAS staff to a 30-meter pixel
size. The pixels contain integer values that link to data tables that
indicate the soil name.

1.3 Objective/Purpose

These data are provided as part of the BOREAS Staff Science GIS Data
Collection Program, which included the collection of pertinent map data,
in both hardcopy and digital form. The objective of this data set is to
provide BOREAS investigators with a map of soil types and other soil
properties. Although this data set was received from Agriculture Canada,
it does not cover agricultural areas of the BOREAS SSA, only forested
areas.

1.4 Summary of Parameters

The parameters contained include:

SOIL CODE, MODIFIERS, EXTENT, and soil names for primary, secondary, and
tertiary soil units.

1.5 Discussion

None.

1.6 Related Data Sets

Agriculture Canada Central Saskatchewan Vector Soils Data

CanSIS Regional Soils Data in Vector Format

BOREAS Regional Soils Data in Raster Format and AEAC Projection

2\. Investigator(s)

2.1 Investigator(s) Name and Title

BOREAS Staff

2.2 Title of Investigation

BOREAS Staff Science GIS Data Collection Program

2.3 Contact Information

Contact 1

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

David Knapp

NASA/GSFC

Greenbelt, MD

\(301\) 286-1424

David.Knapp@gsfc.nasa.gov

Contact 2

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Dr. Harold Rostad

Agriculture Canada

Saskatoon, SK

CANADA

\(306\) 975-6305

rostad@digger.usask.ca

3\. Theory of Measurements

Unknown.

4\. Equipment

Unknown.

4.1 Sensor/Instrument Description

Unknown.

4.1.1 Collection Environment

Unknown.

4.1.2 Source/Platform

Unknown.

4.1.3 Source/Platform Mission Objectives

Unknown.

4.1.4 Key Variables

Unknown.

4.1.5 Principles of Operation

Unknown.

4.1.6 Sensor/Instrument Measurement Geometry

Unknown.

4.1.7 Manufacturer of Sensor/Instrument

Unknown.

4.2 Calibration

Unknown.

4.2.1 Specifications

Unknown.

4.2.1.1 Tolerance

Unknown.

4.2.2 Frequency of Calibration

Unknown.

4.2.3 Other Calibration Information

Unknown.

5\. Data Acquisition Methods

These data were acquired in ARC/INFO EXPORT format as vector coverages.
The Soil Names file and Soil Layer file are standard files that provide
soil attributes for the province of Saskatchewan. The soil code for each
polygon can be linked to the corresponding soil code attribute in the
Soil Names file.

6\. Observations

Unknown.

6.1 Data Notes

Unknown.

6.2 Field Notes

Unknown.

7\. Data Description

7.1 Spatial Characteristics

7.1.1 Spatial Coverage

These data cover the Southern Study Area (SSA) and a buffer area around
it.

The locations of the outside corners of the corner pixels are:

BOREAS BOREAS

Point X (km) Y (km) Longitude Latitude

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Northwest 303.000 399.990 106.31380W 54.50245N

Northeast 464.610 399.990 103.82894W 54.37908N

Southeast 464.610 282.000 104.01113W 53.32543N

Southwest 303.000 282.000 106.43333W 53.44574N

7.1.2 Spatial Coverage Map

Not available.

7.1.3 Spatial Resolution

These data were gridded to a cell size of 30 meters in the X and Y
directions.

7.1.4 Projection

The established BOREAS grid system is based on the ellipsoidal version
of the Albers Equal-Area Conic (AEAC) projection as defined within the
North American Datum 1983 (NAD83). The origin of the grid is at 111° W,
51° N, and the standard parallels are set to 52.5° N and 58.5° N as
prescribed in 'Map Projections - A Working Manual,\' USGS Professional
Paper 1395, John P. Snyder, 1987. All of the projection equations used
to calculate the BOREAS grid coordinates were taken from this manual.

7.1.5 Grid Description

The gridded layers are projected into the AEAC projection described in
Section 7.1.4 at a resolution of 30 meters per pixel (grid cell) in both
the X and Y directions.

7.2 Temporal Characteristics

7.2.1 Temporal Coverage

The time at which these soils were mapped could not be determined. They
may have originally been mapped in the early 1980s, but the data have
been updated and edited by Agriculture Canada based on new information
since that time.

7.2.2 Temporal Coverage Map

Not available.

7.2.3 Temporal Resolution

Unknown.

7.3 Data Characteristics

7.3.1 Parameter/Variable

SOIL CODE 1

SOIL CODE 2

SOIL CODE 3

MODIFIER SOIL 1

MODIFIER SOIL 2

MODIFIER SOIL 3

EXTENT OF SOIL 1

EXTENT OF SOIL 2

EXTENT OF SOIL 3

7.3.2 Variable Description/Definition

SOIL_CODE1 3-character code for the primary soil name. In this layer,
the

numerical value of each pixel corresponds to the SOIL_NUM attribute

in the soil name and soil layer files. There is a unique SOIL_NUM

for each SOIL_CODE.

SOIL_CODE2 3-character code for the secondary soil name. This layer is
coded

and can be used in the same way as the SOIL_CODE1 layer.

SOIL_CODE3 3-character code for the tertiary soil name. This layer is
coded

and can be used in the same way as the SOIL_CODE1 layer.

MODIFIER1 3-character code to show soil variations of the primary soil.
The

modifier applies to the soil name and the soil code. The numerical

value of each pixel in this layer corresponds to the MOD_NUM

attribute in the soil name and soil layer files. There is a unique

MOD_NUM for each MODIFIER. Together with the SOIL_NUM, a unique

record can be identified in the soil name and soil layer file that

matches both the SOIL_NUM and MOD_NUM of the pixel.

MODIFIER2 3-character code to show soil variations. The modifier

applies to the soil name and the soil code.

MODIFIER3 3-character code to show soil variations. The modifier

applies to the soil name and the soil code.

EXTENT1 Percent of the map occupied by a specific soil. The numeric
value

of each pixel represents the percentage.

Range = 34 to 100

EXTENT2 Percent of the map occupied by a specific soil. The numeric
value

of each pixel represents the percentage.

Range = 0 to 50

EXTENT3 Percent of the map occupied by a specific soil. The numeric
value

of each pixel represents the percentage.

Range = 0 to 33

The three SOIL_CODE and three MODIFIER layer attributes are associated
with soil names. As explained above, they can be linked to the SOIL_NUM
and MOD_NUM values in the soil name and soil layer files.

The items in the soil names file include:

UNKNOWN An unknown and undocumented attribute

PROVINCE Province name (here they will all be SK for Saskatchewan)

SOIL_NUM The number of the soil, which is directly related to the
SOIL_CODE

MOD_NUM The number of the soil modifier, which is directly related to
the

MODIFIER

SOILNAME Name of soil

SOIL_CODE A 3-character code identifying a soil

MODIFIER Soil type modifier

LU Land use

KIND Kind of soil

WATERTBL Water table characteristics

ROOTRESTRI Soil layer that restricts root growth

RESTR_TYPE Type of root-restricting layer

DRAINAGE Soil drainage class

MDEP1 Mode of deposition for primary soil

MDEP2 Mode of deposition for secondary soil

MDEP3 Mode of deposition for tertiary soil

ORDER Soil order

S_GROUP Soil subgroup

G_GROUP Great group

PROFILE Header from Detail II file

DATE Date of last revision

A-THICK A horizon thickness

SOL-THICK Soil thickness

SOL-CHEM Soil chemistry

PM-MODIFY Parent material modification

PM-COMPLEX Parent material complex

PMDEP2 Mode of deposition of second parent material deposition

where a soil name is a complex of materials

PM-CHEM Parent material chemistry

PMTEXCLASS Parent material textural class

TEXMODIFY Texture modification

FAMPARTSIZ Soil family particle size

PHYSIOG Physiography

The Soil Layer file is also included with this data set. The information
in

the Soil Names file can be linked to the Soil Layer file. The Soil

Layer file provides information about the soil strata for a particular

soil name. The attributes in the Soil Layer file include:

PROVINCE Province name (here they will all be SK for Saskatchewan)

SOIL_NUM The number of the soil, which is directly related to the
SOIL_CODE

MOD_NUM The number of the soil modifier, which is directly related to
the

MODIFIER

SOIL_CODE A 3-character code identifying a soil

MODIFIER Soil type modifier

LU Land use

LAYER_NO Horizon number

HZN_LIT Horizon lithological discontinuity

HZN_MAS Master horizon (upper case)

HZN_SUF Master suffix (lower case)

HZN_MOD Horizon modifier

UDEPTH Upper horizon depth (cm)

LDEPTH Lower horizon depth (cm)

COFRAG Coarse fragments (% by volume)

DOMSAND Dominant sand fraction

VFSAND Very fine sand (% by weight)

TSAND Total sand (% by weight)

TSILT Total silt (% by weight)

TCLAY Total clay (% by weight)

ORGCARB Organic carbon (% by weight)

PHCA pH in calcium chloride

PH2 pH as specified in project report

BASES Base saturation

CEC Cation exchange capacity (meq/100g)

KSAT Saturated hydraulic conductivity (cm/h)

KP0 Water retention at 0 kilopascals

KP10 Water retention at 10 kilopascals

KP33 Water retention at 33 kilopascals

KP1500 Water retention at 1,500 kilopascals

(Water retention units are % by volume corrected for coarse fragment

content.)

BD Bulk density (g/cm3)

EC Electrical conductivity (dS/m)

CACO3 Calcium carbonate equivalent (%)

VONPOST Von Post estimate of decomposition

WOOD Volume (%) of woody material

DATE Date of last revision

7.3.3 Unit of Measurement

SOIL_CODE1 - Coded but unitless value

SOIL_CODE2 - Coded but unitless value

SOIL_CODE3 - Coded but unitless value

MODIFIER1 - Coded but unitless value

MODIFIER2 - Coded but unitless value

MODIFIER3 - Coded but unitless value

EXTENT1 - Percent

EXTENT2 - Percent

EXTENT3 - Percent

7.3.4 Data Source

The data from which this data set was derived were acquired in ARC/INFO
format from:

Dr. Harold P.W. Rostad, Unit Head

Agriculture Canada-Research-CLBRR/LRD

Saskatchewan Land Resource Unit

Room 5C26 Agriculture Building

c/o The Soil Science Department

University of Saskatchewan Campus

Saskatoon, SK CANADA S7N 0W0

7.3.5 Data Range

See Section 7.3.2.

7.4 Sample Data Record

Not applicable.

8\. Data Organization

8.1 Data Granularity

The smallest unit of data for this data set is the entire data set on
tape.

8.2 Data Format(s)

8.2.1 Uncompressed Data Files

This data set consists of the following files:

File Attribute Name NP NL BYTES/PIXEL

\-\-\-- \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-- \-\-\-- \-\-\--
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

1 ASCII Header File (80-byte records)

2 SOIL CODE 1 5387 3933 2 (low-order byte first)

3 SOIL CODE 2 5387 3933 2 (low-order byte first)

4 SOIL CODE 3 5387 3933 2 (low-order byte first)

5 MODIFIER SOIL 1 5387 3933 2 (low-order byte first)

6 MODIFIER SOIL 2 5387 3933 2 (low-order byte first)

7 MODIFIER SOIL 3 5387 3933 2 (low-order byte first)

8 EXTENT OF SOIL 1 5387 3933 1

9 EXTENT OF SOIL 2 5387 3933 1

10 EXTENT OF SOIL 3 5387 3933 1

11 Tabular Data of Soil Names File for Saskatchewan (ASCII, 240-byte
records)

12 Tabular Data of Soil Layer File for Saskatchewan (ASCII, 240-byte
records)

The following information, which is needed to decode the Soil Names
file, was extracted (with modifications) from an information sheet from
the Canadian Soil Information System (CanSIS):

LU Land Use

N Native Conditions

A Agriculture

KIND Kind of Soil

M Mineral

O Organic

N Nonsoil

U Unclassified

WATERTBL Water table characteristics

NO Not present any time

YU Present during unspecified time

YG Present during the growing season

YN Present during nongrowing season

YB Present during both seasons

ROOTRESTR Soil Layer that restricts root growth

\-- Not applicable

0 Not present

1-9 Restricting layer number

RESTR_TYPE Type of Root Restricting Layer

\-- Not applicable

UN Undifferentiated

BN Solonetzic B

SA EC\>4dS/m

CT Compact (Basal) Till

OR Ortstein

FP Fragipan

LI Lithic

CR Cryic

DU Duric

PL Placic

DRAINAGE Soil Drainage Class

\-- Not applicable

VR Very Rapidly

R Rapidly

W Well

MW Moderately Well

I Imperfectly

P Poorly

VP Very Poorly

MDEP1 Mode of Deposition for primary soil

MDEP2 Mode of Deposition for secondary soil

MDEP3 Mode of Deposition for tertiary soil

\-- Not Applicable

ANTH Anthropogenic

COLL Colluvial

EOLI Eolian

FLEO Fluvioeolian

FLLC Fluviolacustrine

FLUV Fluvial

FNPT Fen Peat

FOPT Forest Peat

GLFL Glaciofluvial

GLLC Glaciolacustrine

GLMA Glaciomarine

LACU Lacustrine

LATL Lacustro-Till

MARI Marine

RESD Residual

SAPR Saprolite

SEPT Sedimentary Peat

SPPT Sphagnum Moss

TILL Till (Morainal)

UNDM Undifferentiated mineral

UNDO Undifferentiated organic

VOLC Volcanic

ORDER Soil Order

\-- Not Applicable

BR Brunisolic

CH Chernozemic

CY Cryosolic

GL Gleysolic

LU Luvisolic

OR Organic

PZ Podzolic

RG Regosolic

SZ Solonetzic

Soil Subgroup and Great Group. Characters before the dot (.) go into the
S_GROUP (soil subgroup) field. Characters after the dot go into the
G_GROUP (soil great group) field.

-.- Not Applicable

O.MB Orthic Melanic Brunisolic

E.MB Eluviated Melanic Brunisol

GL.MB Gleyed Melanic Brunisol

GLE.MB Gleyed Eluviated Melanic Brunisol

O.EB Orthic Eutric Brunisol

E.EB Eluviated Eutric Brunisol

GL.EB Gleyed Eutric Brunisol

GLE.EB Gleyed Eluviated Eutric Brunisol

O.SB Orthic Sombric Brunisol

E.SB Eluviated Sombric Brunisol

DU.SB Duric Sombric Brunisol

GL.SB Gleyed Sombric Brunisol

GLE.SB Gleyed Eluviated Sombric Brunisol

O.DYB Orthic Dystric Brunisol

E.DYB Eluviated Dystric Brunisol

DU.DYB Duric Dystric Brunisol

GL.DYB Gleyed Dystric Brunisol

GLE.DYB Gleyed Eluviated Dystric Brunisol

O.B Orthic Brown

R.B Rego Brown

CA.B Calcareous Brown

E.B Eluviated Brown

SZ.B Solonetzic Brown

GL.B Gleyed Brown

GLR.B Gleyed Rego Brown

GLCA.B Gleyed Calcareous Brown

GLE.B Gleyed Eluviated Brown

GLSZ.B Gleyed Solonetzic Brown

O.DB Orthic Dark Brown

R.DB Rego Dark Brown

CA.DB Calcareous Dark Brown

E.DB Eluviated Dark Brown

SZ.DB Solonetzic Dark Brown

GL.DB Gleyed Dark Brown

GLR.DB Gleyed Rego Dark Brown

GLCA.DB Gleyed Calcareous Dark Brown

GLE.DB Gleyed Eluviated Dark Brown

GLSZ.DB Gleyed Solonetzic Dark Brown

O.BL Orthic Black

R.BL Rego Black

CA.BL Calcareous Black

E.BL Eluviated Black

SZ.BL Solonetzic Black

GL.BL Gleyed Black

GLR.BL Gleyed Rego Black

GLCA.BL Gleyed Calcareous Black

GLE.BL Gleyed Eluviated Black

GLSZ.BL Gleyed Solonetzic Black

O.DG Orthic Dark Gray

R.DG Rego Dark Gray

CA.DG Calcareous Dark

SZ.DG Solonetzic Dark Gray

GL.DG Gleyed Dark Gray

GLR.DG Gleyed Rego Dark Gray

GLCA.DG Gleyed Calcareous Dark Gray

GLSZ.DG Gleyed Solonetzic Dark Gray

O.TC Orthic Turbic Cryosol

BR.TC Brunisolic Turbic Cryosol

R.TC Rego Turbic Cryosol

GL.TC Gleysolic Turbic Cryosol

O.SC Orthic Static Cryosol

BR.SC Brunisolic Static Cryosol

R.SC Regosolic Static Cryosol

GL.SC Gleysolic Static Cryosol

FI.OC Fibric Organic Cryosol

ME.OC Mesic Organic Cryosol

HU.OC Humic Organic Cryosol

TFI.OC Terric Fibric Organic Cryosol

TME.OC Terric Mesic Organic Cryosol

THU.OC Terric Humic Organic Cryosol

GC.OC Glacic Organic Cryosol

O.HG Orthic Humic Gleysol

R.HG Rego Humic Gleysol

FE.HG Fera Humic Gleysol

SZ.HG Solonetzic Humic Gleysol

O.G Orthic Gleysol

R.G Rego Gleysol

FE.G Fera Gleysol

SZ.G Solonetzic Gleysol

O.LG Orthic Luvic Gleysol

HU.LG Humic Luvic Gleysol

FE.LG Fera Luvic Gleysol

FR.LG Fragic Luvic Gleysol

SZ.LG Solonetzic Luvic Gleysol

O.GBL Orthic Gray Brown Luvisol

BR.GBL Brunisolic Gray Brown Luvisol

PZ.GBL Podzolic Gray Brown Luvisol

GL.GBL Gleyed Gray Brown Luvisol

GLBR.GBL Gleyed Brunisolic Gray Brown Luvisol

GLPZ.GBL Gleyed Podzolic Gray Brown Luvisol

O.GL Orthic Gray Luvisol

D.GL Dark Gray Luvisol

BR.GL Brunisolic Gray Luvisol

PZ.GL Podzolic Gray Luvisol

SZ.GL Solonetzic Gray Luvisol

FR.GL Fragic Gray Luvisol

GL.GL Gleyed Gray Luvisol

GLD.GL Gleyed Dark Gray Luvisol

GLBR.GL Gleyed Brunisolic Gray Luvisol

GLPZ.GL Gleyed Podzolic Gray Luvisol

GLSZ.GL Gleyed Solonetzic Gray Luvisol

GLFR.GL Gleyed Fragic Gray Luvisol

TY.F Typic Fibrisol

ME.F Mesic Fibrisol

HU.F Humic Fibrisol

LM.F Limno Fibrisol

CU.F Cumulo Fibrisol

T.F Terric Fibrisol

TME.F Terric Mesic Fibrisol

THU.F Terric Humic Fibrisol

HY.F Hydric Fibrisol

TY.M Typic Mesisol

FI.M Fibric Mesisol

HU.M Humic Mesisol

LM.M Limno Mesisol

CU.M Cumulo Mesisol

T.M Terric Mesisol

TFI.M Terric Fibric Mesisol

THU.M Terric Humic Mesisol

HY.M Hydric Mesisol

TY.H Typic Humisol

FI.H Fibric Humisol

ME.H Mesic Humisol

LM.H Limno Humisol

CU.H Cumulo Humisol

T.H Terric Humisol

TFI.H Terric Fibric Humisol

TME.H Terric Mesic Humisol

HY.H Hydric Humisol

HE.FO Hemic Folisol

HI.FO Histic Folisol

HU.FO Humic Folisol

LI.FO Lignic Folisol

O.HP Orthic Humic Podzol

OT.HP Ortstein Humic Podzol

P.HP Placic Humic Podzol

DU.HP Duric Humic Podzol

FR.HP Fragic Humic Podzol

O.FHP Orthic Ferro-Humic Podzol

OT.FHP Ortstein Ferro-Humic Podzol

P.FHP Placic Ferro-Humic Podzol

DU.FHP Duric Ferro-Humic Podzol

FR.FHP Fragic Ferro-Humic Podzol

LU.FHP Luvisolic Ferro-Humic Podzol

SM.FHP Sombric Ferro-Humic Podzol

GL.FHP Gleyed Ferro-Humic Podzol

GLSM.FHP Gleyed Sombric Ferro-Humic Podzol

GLOT.FHP Gleyed Ortstein Ferro-Humic Podzol

O.HFP Orthic Humo-Ferric Podzol

OT.HFP Ortstein Humo-Ferric Podzol

P.HFP Placic Humo-Ferric Podzol

DU.HFP Duric Humo-Ferric Podzol

FR.HFP Fragic Humo-Ferric Podzol

LU.HFP Luvisolic Humo-Ferric Podzol

GL.HFP Gleyed Humo-Ferric Podzol

GLSM.HFP Gleyed Sombric Humo-Ferric Podzol

SM.HFP Sombric Humo-Ferric Podzol

GLOT.HFP Gleyed Ortstein Hu?o-Ferric Podzol

O.R Orthic Regosol

CU.R Cumulic Regosol

GL.R Gleyed Regosol

GLCU.R Gleyed Cumulic Regosol

O.HR Orthic Humic Regosol

CU.HR Cumulic Humic Regosol

GL.HR Gleyed Humic Regosol

GLCU.HR Gleyed Cumulic Humic Regosol

B.SZ Brown Solonetz

DB.SZ Dark Brown Solonetz

BL.SZ Black Solonetz

A.SZ Alkaline Solonetz

GLB.SZ Gleyed Brown Solonetz

GLDB.SZ Gleyed Dark Brown Solonetz

GLBL.SZ Gleyed Black Solonetz

B.SS Brown Solodized Solonetz

DB.SS Dark Brown Solodized Solonetz

BL.SS Black Solodized Solonetz

DG.SS Dark Gray Solodized Solonetz

G.SS Gray Solodized Solonetz

GLB.SS Gleyed Brown Solodized Solonetz

GLDB.SS Gleyed Dark Brown Solodized Solonetz

GLBL.SS Gleyed Black Solodized Solonetz

GLDG.SS Gleyed Dark Gray Solodized Solonetz

GLG.SS Gleyed Gray Solodized Solonetz

B.SO Brown Solod

DB.SO Dark Brown Solod

BL.SO Black Solod

DG.SO Dark Gray Solod

G.SO Gray Solod

GLB.SO Gleyed Brown Solod

GLDB.SO Gleyed Dark Brown Solod

GLBL.SO Gleyed Black Solod

GLDG.SO Gleyed Dark Gray Solod

GLG.SO Gleyed Gray Solod

PROFILE Header from Detail II File

\-\-\-\-\-\-\--
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

DATE YY.MM.DD Date of last revision

A-THICK Thickness of A horizon

L20 less than 20

G20 greater than 20

SOL-THICK Soil thickness in centimeters

99 Not applicable

SOL-CHEM Soil Chemistry

UD Undifferentiated

EA Extremely Acid

AN Medium Acid to Neutral

WC Weakly Calcareous

VC Very Calcareous

EC Extremely Calcareous

SA Saline

\- Not applicable

PM-MODIFY Parent Material Modification

SHAL Shale

CRET Cretaceous

TERT Tertiary

STON Stony contact

LIME Limestone

TECR Tertiary-Cretaceous

NA Not applicable

PM-COMPLEX Parent Material Complex

COM Complex

NA Not applicable

PMDEP2 Parent Material Deposition for secondary soil

\-- Not Applicable

ANTH Anthropogenic

COLL Colluvial

EOLI Eolian

FLEO Fluvioeolian

FLLC Fluviolacustrine

FLUV Fluvial

FNPT Fen Peat

FOPT Forest Peat

GLFL Glaciofluvial

GLLC Glaciolacustrine

GLMA Glaciomarine

LACU Lacustrine

LATL Lacustro-Till

MARI Marine

RESD Residual

SAPR Saprolite

SEPT Sedimentary Peat

SPPT Sphagnum Moss

TILL Till (Morainal)

UNDM Undifferentiated mineral

UNDO Undifferentiated organic

VOLC Volcanic

PM-CHEM Parent Material Chemistry

UD Undifferentiated

EA Extremely Acid

AN Medium Acid to Neutral

WC Weakly Calcareous

VC Very Calcareous

EC Extremely Calcareous

SA Saline

\- Not applicable

PMTEXCLASS Parent Material Textural Class

VCS very coarse sand

CS coarse sand

LCS loamy coarse sand

S sand

FS fine sand

LS loamy sand

LFS loamy fine sand

VFS very fine sand

LVFS loamy very fine sand

CSL coarse sandy loam

SL sandy loam

FSL fine sandy loam

VFSL very fine sandy loam

L loam

SIL silt loam

SCL sandy clay loam

SICL silty clay loam

CL clay loam

C clay

HC heavy clay

O organic

F fibric

M mesic

H humic

NA not applicable

TEXMODIFY Texture Modifier

GR gravelly

VG very gravelly

WY woody

NA not applicable

FAMPARTS12 Family Particle Size

UD undifferentiated

FR fragmental

SK skeletal

SY sandy

CL coarse loamy

FL fine loamy

LY loamy

CY clayey

SM stratified mineral

SU stratified mineral and organic

SO stratified organic

OG organic

WY woody

FI fibric

ME mesic

HU humic

RU bedrock undifferentiated

RA bedrock acid

RB bedrock basic

RS bedrock soft

NA not applicable

PHYSIOG Physiography

PHY physiographic

NA not applicable

8.2.2 Compressed CD-ROM Files

On the BOREAS CD-ROMs, files 1, 11, and 12 listed above are stored as
ASCII text files; however, files 2 - 10 have been compressed with the
Gzip compression program (file name \*.gz). These data have been
compressed using gzip version 1.2.4 and the high compression (-9) option
(Copyright (C) 1992-1993 Jean-loup Gailly). Gzip (GNU zip) uses the
Lempel-Ziv algorithm (Welch, 1994) used in the zip and PKZIP programs.
The compressed files may be uncompressed using gzip (-d option) or
gunzip. Gzip is available from many websites (for example, ftp site
prep.ai.mit.edu/pub/gnu/gzip-\*.\*) for a variety of operating systems
in both executable and source code form. Versions of the decompression
software for various systems are included on the CD-ROMs.

9\. Data Manipulations

9.1 Formulae

9.1.1 Derivation Techniques and Algorithms

The GIS software package ARC/INFO (Version 6 and 7) was used to grid
these data.

9.2 Data Processing Sequence

9.2.1 Processing Steps

1\) Seven separate vector ARC/INFO coverages were edgematched to make
the edges of the various coverages match up as much as possible.

2\) The soil code or modifier (depending on what was being gridded) was
linked to a table of numeric values to assign a number to each polygon
based on the soil code or modifier of the polygon.

3\) These edgematched vector data were then gridded by assigning a
numeric value to each pixel.

4\) Copy the ASCII and compress the binary files for release on CD-ROM.

9.2.2 Processing Changes

None.

9.3 Calculations

None.

9.3.1 Special Corrections/Adjustments

None.

9.3.2 Calculated Variables

None.

9.4 Graphs and Plots

None.

10\. Errors

10.1 Sources of Error

A major source of error in the original data set could be digitizing
error. There is also the possibility of coding errors in the attributes.
The value of an attribute could have been keyed in incorrectly.

There is some question about the positional accuracy of the data.
Although the data are mapped at a scale of 1:125,000, the source of the
mapping is aerial photography that was not orthocorrected. Therefore,
the soils mapping may contain distortions that exist in the air photos.
This problem can be mitigated by \"rubber sheeting\" the data to an
accurate map base, or acquiring the original air photos and compensating
for their distortions. However, the minor benefits of improved
positional accuracy would not be worth the time and effort of correcting
all of these data.

The data that were gridded comprised seven vector layers that were
edgematched. Although most of the attributes of polygons along the seams
are the same, in some cases the soil attributes are different. This can
cause some discontinuities in these layers.

10.2 Quality Assessment

10.2.1 Data Validation by Source

Unknown.

10.2.2 Confidence Level/Accuracy Judgment

Although the gridding procedure itself is highly accurate, there is some
question as to the positional accuracy of the original data. Therefore,
caution should be used when inferring information from this data set.

The source in Canada from whom these data were received has strong
caveats about the use of the data. These data are constantly being
updated as new data are collected and become available. These data
represent broad generalizations about the soil characteristics of this
area. Caution is to be used when inferring information from the data.

10.2.3 Measurement Error for Parameters

Unknown.

10.2.4 Additional Quality Assessments

Unknown.

10.2.5 Data Verification by Data Center

Each gridded image was spot checked to ensure that the gridding
procedure assigned a digital number (DN) to each attribute value.

11\. Notes

11.1 Limitations of the Data

The original data were received in seven parts. These seven parts were
edgematched so that the polygon boundaries were aligned with each other.
The gridded data represent a merging of these two data sets.
Unfortunately, some of the attributes of polygons along the border have
different values. Therefore, a sharp discontinuity may exist along a map
edge in the images.

11.2 Known Problems with the Data

The original vector data apparently were digitized from aerial
photography that was not orthometrically corrected. Therefore, the
locational accuracy of the soil polygons may not be very accurate.

11.3 Usage Guidance

Users of these data should be cautious about inferring information from
this data set and extending those inferences over a larger area. The
polygons from the original data set are large and may have small
inclusions of various soil types that are not mapped in these data
layers.

Before uncompressing the Gzip files on CD-ROM, be sure that you have
enough disk space to hold the uncompressed data files. Then use the
appropriate decompression program provided on the CD-ROM for your
specific system.

11.4 Other Relevant Information

None.

12\. Application of the Data Set

The original intended use of these data is unknown. Users from the
BOREAS project might use these data for hydrological modeling or some
other ecosystem modeling activity.

13\. Future Modifications and Plans

None.

14\. Software

14.1 Software Description

The GIS software package ARC/INFO (Version 6 and 7) was used to grid
these data.

Gzip (GNU zip) uses the Lempel-Ziv algorithm (Welch, 1994) used in the
zip and PKZIP commands.

14.2 Software Access

ARC/INFO is a proprietary software package produced by Environmental
Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI), Redlands, CA.

Gzip is available from many websites across the net (for example) ftp
site prep.ai.mit.edu/pub/gnu/gzip-\*.\*) for a variety of operating
systems in both executable and source code form. Versions of the
decompression software for various systems are included on the CD-ROMs.

15\. Data Access

15.1 Contact Information

Ms. Beth McCowan

BOREAS Data Manager

NASA/GSFC

Greenbelt, MD

\(301\) 286-4005

\(301\) 286-0239 (fax)

beth@ltpmail.gsfc.nasa.gov

15.2 Data Center Identification

See Section 15.1.

15.3 Procedures for Obtaining Data

Users may place requests by telephone, electronic mail, or fAX.

15.4 Data Center Status/Plans

The SSA raster soils data are available from the Earth Observing System
Data and Information System (EOSDIS) Oak Ridge National Laboratory
(ORNL) Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC) . The BOREAS contact at
ORNL is:

ORNL DAAC User Services

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

\(865\) 241-3952

ornldaac@ornl.gov

ornl@eos.nasa.gov

16\. Output Products and Availability

16.1 Tape Products

These data can be made available on 8-mm, Digital Archive Tape (DAT), or
9-track tapes at 6250 or 1600 Bytes Per Inch (BPI).

16.2 Film Products

None.

16.3 Other Products

These data are available on the BOREAS CD-ROM series.

17\. References

17.1 Platform/Sensor/Instrument/Data Processing Documentation

Welch, T.A. 1984, A Technique for High Performance Data Compression,
IEEE Computer, Vol. 17, No. 6, pp. 8 - 19.

17.2 Journal Articles and Study Reports

Acton, D.F., G.A. Padbury, and J.A. Shields. 1991. Soil Landscapes of
Canada-Saskatchewan Digital Map Data; Scale 1:1000000; CanSIS No.
SK018200, Version 90.11.30; CLBRR Archive, Agriculture Canada, Research
Branch, Ottawa, Canada (CLBRR Contribution No. 91-107D).

Padbury, G. A., and J.A. Shields. 1991. Soil Landscapes of
Canada-Saskatchewan Soil Landscapes Polygon Attribute Digital Data.
CanSIS No. SK018200, version 90.11.30; CLBRR Archive, Agriculture
Canada, Research Branch, Ottawa, Canada. (CLBRR Contribution No.
91-108D)

Sellers, P., and F. Hall. 1994. Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study:
Experiment Plan. Version 1994-3.0, NASA BOREAS Report (EXPLAN 94).

Sellers, P., and F. Hall. 1996. Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study:
Experiment Plan. Version 1996-2.0, NASA BOREAS Report (EXPLAN 96).

Sellers, P., F. Hall, and K. F. Huemmrich. 1996. Boreal
Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study: 1994 Operations. NASA BOREAS Report (OPS DOC
94).

Sellers, P., F. Hall, and K. F. Huemmrich. 1997. Boreal
Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study: 1996 Operations. NASA BOREAS Report (OPSDOC
96).

Sellers, P., F. Hall, H. Margolis, B. Kelly, D. Baldocchi, G. den
Hartog, J. Cihlar, M.G. Ryan, B. Goodison, P. Crill, K.J. Ranson, D.
Lettenmaier, and D.E. Wickland. 1995. The boreal ecosystem-atmosphere
study (BOREAS): an overview and early results from the 1994 field year.
Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. 76(9):1549-1577.

Sellers, P., and F. Hall. 1997. BOREAS Overview Paper. JGR Special Issue
(in press).

17.3 Archive/DBMS Usage Documentation

None.

18\. Glossary of Terms

None.

19\. List of Acronyms

AEAC - Albers Equal-Area Conic

ASCII - American Standard Code for Information Interchange

BOREAS - BOReal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study

BORIS - BOREAS Information System

BPI - Bytes Per Inch

CANSIS - Canadian Soil Information System

DAAC - Distributed Active Archive Center

DN - Digital Number

EOS - Earth Observing System

EOSDIS - EOS Data and Information System

GIS - Geographic Information System

GSFC - Goddard Space Flight Center

NAD83 - North American Datum 1983

NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NSA - Northern Study Area

ORNL - Oak Ridge National Laboratory

PANP - Prince Albert National Park

SSA - Southern Study Area

URL - Uniform Resource Locator

20\. Document Information

20.1 Document Revision Dates

Written: 02-December-1994

Last Updated: 23-Jan-1998

20.2 Document Review Dates

BORIS Review: 20-Jun-1997

Science Review:

20.3 Document ID

20.4 Citation

20.5 Document Curator

20.6 Document URL

Keywords

SOILS

SOIL CHEMISTRY

SOIL TYPE