Applied research

Our current, collaborative research activities include:

  • GlobalSoilMap.net - Development of a new digital soil map of the world using state-of-the-art and emerging technologies 
     
  • Development of a World Soil and Terrain Digital database (SOTER; e-SOTER)
     
  • Global assessment of land degradation and improvement (GLADA)
     
  • Green Water Credits - payment for environmental services (GWC)
     
  • World overview of  conservation  approaches and technologies (WOCAT) 
      
  • Carbon Benefits Project: Modelling, Measurement and Monitoring (CBP:MMM)
     
  • Compilation and use of soil datasets for global change research (WISE)
          
  • Soil nutrient dynamics, nutrient depletion and the sustainability of agro-ecosystems 
      
  • Enhancing on-line availability of data and information
Applied research
Links
Further information:
Niels Batjes
Vincent van Engelen
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Data supply

  • ISRIC compiles, archives, analyzes and distributes data on world soil resources, typically in the framework of collaborative projects.
     
  • We co-develop uniform methodologies for collecting and analyzing soil-related data.
        
  • Databases can be accessed through Data & Applications.
         
  • Rules and policies governing data supply by ISRIC are conform those laid down by the World Data Centre System


Data supply
Links
Further information:
Niels Batjes
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Library and map collection

Do you need soil information of Amsterdam, Zimbabwe, Asia or the whole world? ISRIC’s library has built up a collection of around 8000 (digitized) maps and 15.000 reports and books.

Since its beginning in 1966, ISRIC - World Soil Information has built up a collection of more than 30.000 articles, country reports, books and maps with emphasis on the developing countries. The subject emphasis is on soils, but related geographic information on climate, geology, geomorphology, vegetation, land use, and land suitability is also important.

The map collection contains over 8000, mainly small-scale (1:250.000 or smaller) maps. Many of these maps are completed by reports and related thematic and derived maps. Part of the ISRIC collection was scanned at JRC as a foundation for the European Digital Archive of Soil Maps (EuDASM)

Metadata for all items in the collection can be queried using the online ISRIC World Soil Information Document Database;  searches can be by name of the author, title words, keywords or country names, using basic and advanced search options.

Some 80% of the maps are digitized and can be downloaded at high resolution and viewed on screen with a zoom facility. Over 30% of the country reports is currently available as full text (PDF). Scanning of ISRIC's library holdings is ongoing; new materials are always welcome.

The ISRIC World Soil Information Document Database also provides to links to external databases, national and international organizations, electronic books hosted by third parties, newsletters, journals, and reference materials related to soil science.

The collection is housed at Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708 PB, building 101 in Wageningen and is publicly accessible.

Library and map collection
Links
Further information:
Ger Naber
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Training and Education

ISRIC’s Training & Education Programme serves the international community with a wide array of courses and lectures on global soils, soil and terrain classification, soil mapping and soil information systems, as well as on the use and importance of soil information for the sustainable management of planet Earth.

ISRIC has a long-standing tradition in teaching about Soils of the World, especially in relation to the World Soil Museum where guided tours are provided on request.

Courses and lectures are given on request and can be given in Wageningen or with the local host. Courses can be tailored to specific user needs. We provide courses at introductory and advanced level, aiming at researchers as well as project managers and users of soil information. Reduced rates apply to participants from strategic collaborative institutions and non-OECD countries

Training and Education
SOTER training in Cambodia
Recent courses
Further information:
Stephan Mantel
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World Soil Museum

Earth’s living skin

Soils are truly wonderful. They are the major support systems of human life and welfare. They provide anchorage for roots and hold water and nutrients  long enough for plants and micro-organisms to make use of it. In fact, most of the land’s biodiversity lives in the soil, not above ground. Without soils the Earth’s landscape would be as barren as Mars.

Read more about soils and their fascinating diversity

World Soil Museum

In the World Soil Museum of ISRIC, visitors can learn about the role of soils in life and ecosystems and get an impression of the enormous variation of soil types in the world, from the colourful volcanic ash soil from Indonesia to the man-made Terra Preta soil from the Amazon. The museum displays soil monoliths with accompanying data including a full profile description, soil chemical and physical data, and information on the landscape and land-use.

Temporary museum at Wageningen UR campus

When ISRIC moved to the Wageningen UR campus in 2010, the temporary museum  was opened in October 2011, pending the construction of a new permanent accommodation on the campus. On display are 32 soil profiles representing the major soils that occur around the world. The ‘Dutch corner’ shows the major soil types of the country and of soils that have been heavily modified due to long-term human activity.

World Soil Museum
View of the temporary museum at Gaia
Links
Further information:
Stephan Mantel
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