Surface Soil Texture

Dataset Number1066
Dataset TitleSurface Soil Texture
CustodianData Authority: Department for Environment and Water
Data Provider: Department for Environment and Water

Description

DescriptionSurface Soil Texture refers to the approximate clay content of the surface soil. Texture influences many soil qualities including waterholding capacity, wilting point moisture levels, nutrient retention, erodibility, permeability, workability and seedling emergence. In heterogeneous landscapes, map units often contain a range of surface soil textures. Nine Surface Soil Texture attribute (or 'analysis data') classes have been supplied (see 'S', 'LS' etc in the table below, including not applicable) as percentage (areal extent) values of each Soil Landscape Map Unit. Note: the sum of all percentage values for each map unit totals 100%. This analysis data is to be used for the calculation of spatial data statistics. For map display purposes, Soil Landscape Map Units have been categorised (i) according to the most common Surface Soil Texture class, provided this occupies at least 30% of the areaSELECT 1 FROM DUAL; and (ii) where the aforementioned accounts for less than 60% of the map unit, a qualifier* indicates whether the majority of remaining soil components have coarser (more sandy) or finer (more clayey) textured surfaces. *The qualifier appears as an additional letter in the legend category code: 'C' for coarser or 'F' for finer. This system produces 19 legend categories (SOIL_TEXT). However for NatureMaps, legend categories have been simplified to only show the most common Surface Soil Texture (provided this occupies >30% of each map unit). This simplified map displays only eight legend category groups (including not applicable).
UsageLink to Soil Attribute Descriptions. This dataset has been derived from the Soil Landscape Map Units spatial dataset to be used for map creation or the calculation of spatial data statistics. Used to supply Government, community groups, industry and the general public with up to date regional, subregional and catchment level land and soil attribute information for southern South Australia. The aim is to produce maps, statistics and reports displaying and describing: Land and soil attributes within southern South AustraliaSELECT 1 FROM DUAL; Land surface features affecting land use, land management and productivitySELECT 1 FROM DUAL; Limitations / suitability of land and soil for a range of agricultural and other uses. Independent professional advice should be sought before using this in commercial decisions. Further information: soil and land attributes. Surface Soil Texture can be viewed at NatureMaps (>Soils>Soil Type Attributes). Spatial data downloads are available from Data SA.

Data Quality

LineageThe dataset is based on an interpretation of 1:40,000 stereo colour aerial photography and limited field inspection of landscapes and soils by soil scientists. Soil Landscape Map Unit boundaries were determined after an integration of field observations and recordingsSELECT 1 FROM DUAL; laboratory analysesSELECT 1 FROM DUAL; stereoscopic examination of aerial photographsSELECT 1 FROM DUAL; understanding of regional landscape processes and stratigraphySELECT 1 FROM DUAL; existing soil and geological mapping data. To avoid inconsistencies and confusion, any updates to the Soil and Land Attribute mapping are to be managed by DEWNR Soil and Land Program. This data has been released under a Creative Commons licence. Where products are derived from this data, DEWNR are to be acknowledged, and any changes to the original data should be indicated.
CompletenessComplete. The spatial data is subject to amendment as and when more data become available.
Positional AccuracyThe accuracy is to the scale of mapping (50 metres at 1:50,000 and 300 metres at 1:100,000 mapping scale). The spatial data is to be used at the regional, subregional and catchment level, and can be used to provide property overviewsSELECT 1 FROM DUAL; however, cannot be used at the paddock level. South East, Kangaroo Island, Mount Lofty Ranges and the 'bottom' of Yorke Peninsula have been mapped at 1:50,000. Eyre Peninsula, the main part of Yorke Peninsula, Murray Mallee and Northern Agricultural Districts have been mapped at 1:100,000. Map unit boundaries should be treated as transition zones.

Geographic Extent

Extent NameAgricultural Region - South Australia
Min Easting or Longitude132.25
Min Northing or Latitude-38
Max Easting or Longitude141
Max Northing or Latitude-32.25

Dataset Status

Initially Acquired01-JAN-2000
Last Updated01-JUL-2009
Update FrequencyAs required
Maintenance MethodAs required
AusGOALCC BY (Attribution)

Attributes

TableNameField AliasData TypeDescription
Landscape.SALAD_Soil_TextureLANSLU CharacterSoil Landscape Map Unit
Landscape.SALAD_Soil_TextureSOIL_TEXT CharacterDOMINANT / SUBDOMINANT SURFACE TEXTURE (Legend category. See layer file for descriptions). Map units are classified according to the most dominant surface texture category. Where this accounts for less than 60% of a map unit, a qualifier is used to indicate whether the majority of other soils have coarser (C) or finer (F) textured surfaces.
Landscape.SALAD_Soil_TextureS NumberPercentage of Sand (less than 5% clay) within map unit
Landscape.SALAD_Soil_TextureLS NumberPercentage of Loamy sand, clayey sand (5 - 10% clay) within map unit
Landscape.SALAD_Soil_TextureSL NumberPercentage of Sandy loam, fine sandy loam (10 - 20% clay) within map unit
Landscape.SALAD_Soil_TextureL NumberPercentage of Loam, silty loam, light sandy clay loam (approximately 25% clay) within map unit
Landscape.SALAD_Soil_TextureSCL NumberPercentage of Sandy clay loam (20 - 30% clay) within map unit
Landscape.SALAD_Soil_TextureCL NumberPercentage of Clay loam, silty clay loam, fine sandy clay loam (30 - 35% clay) within map unit
Landscape.SALAD_Soil_TextureCN NumberPercentage of Non cracking clay (more than 35% clay) within map unit
Landscape.SALAD_Soil_TextureCC NumberPercentage of Cracking clay (more than 35% clay) within map unit
Landscape.SALAD_Soil_TextureX NumberPercentage of map unit which is not applicable

Contact Information

OrganisationDepartment for Environment and Water
Science Monitoring and Knowledge
Postal AddressGPO Box 1047

ADELAIDE
5001
EmailDEWNR.CustomerServiceCentre@sa.gov.au