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

SSA_Soils_125K_Raster
04/17/98