The Lubin Files

Scientists call for new digital soil map

In Science magazine's issue of 7 August 2009, a group of scientists point out the need for a current digital soil map of the world.  They mention the FAO-UNESCO map of 1981, but bemoan its low resolution (1:5 million scale).  A more detailed and up-to-date map would be useful for practical land management matters as well as policy making.  The article touts the efforts of the GlobalSoilMap.net project.

(Topic found in Agricultural Biodiversity Weblog.)

FAO HQ and field staff have electronic access to Science.

For those who are particularly interested in soil maps, previous posts in the Lubin Files regarding this topic include:

• Soil map of the world;
• Soil map of Algeria;
• Soil atlas of Europe;
• Soil maps of Italy;
• More on soil maps of Italy.

Global warming

Can statistics about carbon dioxide emissions and over-population be visually exciting? Yes!

Visit the site http://breathingearth.net/ and see what web artist David Bleja created based on information from the CIA World Factbook and the United Nations Statistics Division. His interactive world map is both attractive and informative, allowing you to easily compare information from every country. It highlights the global nature of the stress we are putting on our planet.

If you scroll down you find a link to a carbon footprint calculator which makes you realize how difficult it is to live within sustainable resources. In addition, and not for the faint hearted, is the link to Meet your Meat.

Soil atlas of Europe

The Soil Atlas of Europe is the result of a collective effort by more the 40 national soil surveys and soil science institutions cooperating across Europe within the European Soil Bureau Network (ESBN). This network, established in 1989 by the European Commission - DG Joint Research Centre, has formalised already existing collaborations among soil surveys already initiated in 1959 by FAO as the first steps towards a common soil map for the European Union.

Soil map of Algeria

An FAO soil expert referred me to this resource for a patron who was looking for a soil map of Algeria.

Our expert says that for Algeria, the "Durand map for Northern Algeria" is probably still the best available.  Although there have been many detailed studies within Algeria since then, no comprehensive maps have been produced.

Soil map of the world

The FAO-UNESCO Soil Map of the World 912:631.4(100) F73 was published in 19 separate sheets in 1974. It took 15 years to produce it, and it was published at a 1:5 million scale. The map is based on information contained in some 11000 separate larger-scale maps.

Four basic variables are included on the soil map. The soils are divided into 26 major groups and are further subdivided to give a total of 106 individual soil units. The map also specifies three categories of texture and of slope. Information is also included on 12 different soil phases, such as stoniness and salinity.

Antarctic map

Map of the Antarctic, produced by NASA in collaboration with the National Science Foundation and the British Antarctic Survey.

Digital Magnetic Anomaly Map

The first global map of magnetic peculiarities - or anomalies - on Earth has been assembled by an international team of researchers. Scientists hope to use the map to learn more about the geological composition of our planet. Click here for the full BBC news story.

I went to the site of the Commission for the Geological Map of the World hoping to get a look at the map, but I discovered that, unfortunately, it isn't free.  It can be ordered, though--  €8 for the map alone, and €15 for the map + DVD.

More on Soil Maps of Italy

Soil Regions of Italy.  From the Centro Nazionale di Cartografia Pedologica.

Soil Maps of Italy

I found this resource for a patron who was looking for soil maps of Italy. 

The European Digital Archive of Soil Maps is compiled by the Institute of Environment and Sustainability (IES)  and World Soil Information (ISRIC).

Google Maps - Street Level Images

Google has added a new dimension of imagery to its maps.

For New York, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Denver and Miami, you can now click the "Street View" option.

Do I find this useful?  Yes, and no.  The idea is a great one, but in practice, I find it a bit clunky.   It's not easy to position the street level icon precisely on the street that you want to display.  And it's a bit awkward to move back and forth along the street from within an image.  But it is possible.

Have a look at this blog entry for more issues concerning privacy, etc.