Survey Databases - National Soils Database (NSD)
The NSD is a 'point' database containing descriptions of about 1,500 New Zealand soil profiles, together with their chemical, physical, and mineralogical characteristics. The information is obtained from excavated pits usually up to 1.5 m deep but sometimes deeper, from which the soil scientists collect samples for chemical and physical analyses. Sometimes drilling down to 15 m or so is needed for sampling deep layers of volcanic ash.
Each soil profile pit (the data or sampling point) can take up to a day to describe. More than 200 individual pieces of data are either collected in the field or from the laboratory analyses. It has taken many years to build up the database, and now, the New Zealand component alone represents about $15 million of information. However the data is invaluable for understanding sustainable land management options.
Soil acidity, organic matter content, clay or silt content, toxicity, and phosphate retention may affect nutrient levels and their availability to plants.
Soil drainage, depth to water table, depth to an impermeable layer, gravel content, water holding capacity, acidity and mineralogy can indicate whether a soil is suitable for the intended use, e.g. particular crops, septic tank disposal fields, cemeteries, or sports fields.
To be profitable, primary production needs to incorporate information relevant to land use planning. Soil type has important implications for making management decisions, e.g., the type and extent of drainage systems required to grow particular crops, suitable irrigation regimes (amount, rate, and frequency of water), and fertiliser regimes.
National Soils Database Contact:
 | Janice Willoughby Email  |
Landcare Research | |
Phone: +64 6 353 4800 |
