Organic soil surveys across Flanders

This dataset contains geospatial data of organic soils in wetlands and valleys across the Flemish region (Belgium). It is a compilation of several surveys, mainly commissioned by Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos (ANB), Vlaamse Milieumaatschappij (VMM) and Natuurpunt to map the presence of shallow organic soil layers for conservation purposes. Organic layer depth was mapped by pushing a (pvc) rod into the organic ground until it hits a resistance or mineral layer, then recording the depth and the geographical position with a handheld gps. This method allows a quick and cost-effective survey of large shallow carbon stocks. At several locations additional auger boring sample data and electrical conductivity-probe sample data was included in the dataset.

Since the majority of the samples were not analysed on carbon content, soils were defined as "organic soils".

Dataset maintained by the Research Institute for Nature and Forest/INBO

For any inquiries, please contact Tom.dedobbelaer@inbo.be or Cecile.herr@inbo.be. The .csv will be updated as required to correct issues or to add data from additional surveys. Please check for updated versions periodically.

Data description

• location: inventory location name
• year: year of survey
• Sample_ID: Point-ID given during survey, not unique
• Unique_ID: Unique point-ID created for this dataset
• EPSG_31370_X: X-coordinaat in EPSG 31370 (Lambert72), rounded to the closest meter
• EPSG_31370_Y: Y-coordinaat in EPSG 31370 (Lambert72), rounded to the closest meter
• stratigraphy: stratigraphy of the organic layer (near surface, substrate)
• organic_layer_notation: indicates if depth is a value or within a range
• organic_layer_depth: depth of the organic layer, measured from surface level (in cm)
• sign: certain surveys mention a sign indicating if the actual depth is equal to or bigger then the given depth (e.g. when the measuring rod is too short or damaged during a survey)
• method: method used to define organic layer depth
• source: indicates the source of the data, it can be original field data or derived data from a map.
• comment_soil: field comment given during survey (in Dutch)
• contractor: contractor of the survey
• awarding authority: commissioner of the survey