A China data set of soil properties for land surface modeling

TLDR

The dataset can be incorporated into land models to better represent the role of soils in hydrological and biogeochemical cycles in China. A 30×30 arc‑second gridded dataset of 28 soil attributes across 8 vertical layers was created from 8,979 profiles and the national Soil Map using a polygon linkage method within the Genetic Soil Classification framework, with quality‑control metadata provided. The dataset estimates 72.5 Pg of soil organic carbon, 6.6 Pg of nitrogen, 4.5 Pg of phosphorus, and 169.9 Pg of potassium in China’s upper 1 m, with values and spatial patterns that agree with prior studies and expert knowledge.

Abstract

A comprehensive 30×30 arc‐second resolution gridded soil characteristics data set of China has been developed for use in the land surface modeling. It includes physical and chemical attributes of soils derived from 8979 soil profiles and the Soil Map of China (1:1,000,000). We used the polygon linkage method to derive the spatial distribution of soil properties. The profile attribute database and soil map are linked under the framework of the Genetic Soil Classification of China which avoids uncertainty in taxon referencing. Quality control information (i.e., sample size, soil classification level, linkage level, search radius and texture) is included to provide “confidence” information for the derived soil parameters. The data set includes 28 attributes for 8 vertical layers at the spatial resolution of 30×30 arc‐seconds. Based on this data set, the estimated storage of soil organic carbon in the upper 1 m of soil is 72.5 Pg, total N is 6.6 Pg, total P is 4.5 Pg, total K is 169.9 Pg, alkali‐hydrolysable N is 0.55 Pg, available P is 0.03 Pg, and available K is 0.61 Pg. These estimates are reasonable compared with previous studies. The distributions of soil properties are consistent with common knowledge of Chinese soil scientists and the spatial variations over large areas are well represented. The data set can be incorporated into land models to better represent the role of soils in hydrological and biogeochemical cycles in China.