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