Soil databases and directions of their use

Abstract

Goal. To systematize soil databases (DB) for the intended purpose and give examples of their scientific and applied application. Methods. Theoretical and analytical (generalization of information from scientific sources), systemic (structuring of soil databases). Results. Based on the analysis of literary sources, 5 main groups of soil databases were identified for various purposes at the local, national, regional, and global levels. The initiatives to create soil databases were described, and examples of their use were given. The databases of soil profiles, monitoring networks, field experiments, and thematic databases focused on specific areas of research (water-physical properties, soil carbon, erosion processes, spectral methods of research, the study of biodiversity, and geochemical composition of soils), as well as grid databases that spatially evaluate soil properties using innovative data processing methods, were considered. Conclusions. Soil databases are a valuable research resource used to create global and locally specific soil information products. They are also the basis for defining reference ranges for indicators of soil health, improving national monitoring systems, and developing strategies for sustainable agricultural production. In addition, soil databases play an important role in communication between scientists to reduce data deficits and integrate efforts aimed at solving urgent problems related to soil degradation and their environmental sustainability. The development of national soil databases is critically important for the rational management of soil and land resources. To systematize the results of surveys of war-damaged soils, it is proposed to create a single digital platform that will be an information basis for assessing the manifestations of degradation processes, planning priority case studies, and developing targeted remediation measures.