WG3_T2.4_Review of possibilities of correlating soil physical and chemical variables

Apart from being a heterogeneous and dynamic system, soil complexity rises from the connections and interdependencies between its attributes. The correlation of soil properties can be employed to denote the association between quantitative variables and determine the extent and the way they are related. Furthermore, the correlations may disclose the predictive relationships of interest. The survey of the literature was made to summarize mathematical and statistical tools used for the analysis of the association between physical and chemical parameters of the soil. In line with the specific goals of COST Action SAGA, particular attention was paid to the available correlation of data relevant for archaeological sites. The selected soil parameters and the methods used for the description of their linear and more complex non-linear relationships are outlined. The correlation of soil properties has been employed with much broader goals and objectives in other sub-disciplines of soil science, such as to analyze, explain, estimate, and predict different characteristics and processes. Some of these studies are reviewed to illustrate the methods of correlation that may be of interest in the archaeological context.