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Database Title

13.2 New Zealand Soils Spatial Database
Keywords
Type1.
Type 11.		 Soils; land use; maps
chemical properties; physical properties
Abstract This database is a collection of GIS layers that describe soil units mapped throughout New Zealand in terms of their identification and distribution, their measurable site characteristics and chemical and physical soil properties. This database is the first step towards extrapolating soil analytical data collected from points within the landscape to broader areas, thereby providing nationwide coverage of measurable site and soil properties.
Geographical Coverage New Zealand
Dataset start date. 1994/5
Dataset end date. 2000
Status/currency. In progress
Update frequency. N/A
Maintenance. Uncertain. If extra funding becomes available more parameters will be added to the database.

 

Technical Evaluation

  
Parameters- what is measured The following production related attributes are contained within the database:
  • slope angle
  • potential rooting depth
  • topsoil gravel content
  • rock outcrops and surface boulders
  • depth to a slowly permeable horizon
  • minimum pH (0-0.6m depth)
  • maximum salinity (0-0.6m depth)
  • drainage class
  • cation exchange capacity (0-0.6m depth)
  • total carbon (0-0.2m depth)
  • phosphate retention (0-0.2m depth)
  • flood return interval
  • soil temperature regime (0.3m depth)
  • profile available water
  • profile readily available water
  • macropores (0-0.6m)
  • macropores (0.6-0.9m
Parameters- what is calculated N/A
Methods used to measure parameters

This database was built in three steps:

  • All soil map units identified in the New Zealand Land Resource Inventory were assigned to soil forms in the New Zealand Soil Classification (4th category of the classification)
  • Site, physical and chemical attributes were assigned to each soil form using data from the National Soils Database and other relevant data sources
  • Soil forms with their associated attributes were linked to the New Zealand Land Resource Inventory polygons
Secondary sources of data N/A
Scale of use. The assignment of LRI map units to soil forms occurred at different scales depending on the information available. This ranged from 1:63,360 to 1:253,440
Number of records N/A
GIS compatibility. Yes
Available formats for users. Raw data or maps
Access constraints. The data is freely available for researchers (although there may be some cost associated with collating the data). Commercial users are charged for both the use of the data and the costs of collating it).
Measurement Accuracy To be completed by database manager.
Completeness of dataset To be completed by database manager.
Positional accuracy To be completed by database manager.
Database steward Landcare research
Database custodian Landcare Research
Database custodian contact person Janice Willoughby
Database custodian Contact
Address
Phone
Fax
Email		 Private Bag 11 052
Palmerston North
+64 6 356 7154
+64 6 355 9230
willoughbyj@landcare.cri.nz
References Clayden; & Webb . 1994

Wilde, R.H.; Willoughby, E.J.; Hewitt, A.E. 1999. The New Zealand soils spatial database-data manual. Draft Landcare publication.
Date metadata record prepared. October 1999
Author of metadata record. Victoria Froude

 

Management Evaluation

  
Original purpose. To make the existing soil maps more useful by focusing on soil attributes/parameters.
Relationships with classification systems. Uses the New Zealand Soil Classification (Hewitt). The New Zealand Soils Spatial Database uses the 4th category in the system, i.e. the soil form. The soil form is described in Clayden & Webb, 1994.
Relationships with other databases The New Zealand Soils Spatial Database uses soil map units identified in the New Zealand Land Resource Inventory and physical and chemical attributes of soils in the National Soils Database.
Known relationships with proposed EPIP indicators. N/A
Who uses this database? This is a new database and so public use levels are relatively low. The main users are Landcare Research, NIWA, and regional councils. The current primary focus of this use is research.
Public awareness of the database This is low probably because this is a new database.
Database strengths.
  • Database covers the two main islands
  • Data presentation is via maps. These are relatively easy to interpret
Database limitations.
  • The database only addresses some attributes
  • The database does not include Stewart Island
  • There are questions with ongoing funding for database maintenance

 

What are the Current and Emerging Uses of the Database for:

  
Assisting with determining historic state/baseline. N/A
Assisting with determining current state/baseline. It should be able to do this for the parameters included in the database.
Assisting with modeling possible future outcomes. Unclear
Risk assessment. The database could identify areas at risk in relation to certain parameters, e.g. flood return interval, drainage class.
Monitoring site selection and sample design. This should be possible for the parameters measured.
Aggregating and reporting data locally, regionally or nationally. This could be possible for the parameters measured.