5.2 soilprop.aml

This is a very simple AML that enables a classification of soil properties based on topographic position and surface geology (a simplified classification of the geological units).  It is primarily valid for NW-Wyoming surface geology map units only (Yellowstone Plateau and Shoshone National Forest). However, you might want to add other units or alter the reclassification scheme depending on your needs. Thus, you can use this AML as an example scheme.

The AML recalssifies the landscape based on two input maps, namely a) topographic position as derived from a topographic reclassification procedure like topoclass.aml, and b) a geologic reclassification of the many stratigraphic units as usually present in geologic maps (see e.g. geoclass.aml). Geologic reclassifications are usually necessary in order to maximize the ecological usability of geologocal maps and to reduce the excessive number of units that usually show similar ecological response. The following table exemplifies how the reclassification is done. The geological and the topographic classes (in green) are used to generate maps of the soilproperties "Depth", "CFC" (coarse fragment content), and "SSMC" (specific soil moisture holding capacity). The reclassification scheme is based on an expert system classification as porposed by R.F. Fischer (unpubl., see Roberts et al., 1993 for further explanations).
 

           ===========================================================
                        *IGNEOUS COARSE (1)
                        -------------------
                         Texture:     DEPTH(m):  CFC(%):  SSMC(mm/m):
            RIDGE:       Sandy            1.0       70        70
            SLOPE:       Sandy Loam       2.0       50       120
            TOE SLOPE:   Sandy Loam       2.5       30       120
            BOTTOM:      Silty Clay Loam  3.0       10       150

                        *IGNEOUS FINE (2)
                        -----------------
                        Texture:     DEPTH(m):   CFC(%):  SSMC(mm/m):
           RIDGE:       Sandy Loam       0.5       80       120
           SLOPE:       Silt Loam        2.0       60       170
           TOE SLOPE:   Silt Loam        2.5       40       170
           BOTTOM:      Clay Loam        3.0       20       120

                        *SEDIMENTARY COARSE (3)
                        -----------------------
                         Texture:     DEPTH(m):  CFC(%):  SSMC(mm/m):
           RIDGE:       Sandy Loam       1.0       70       120
           SLOPE:       Silt Loam        2.0       60       170
           TOE SLOPE:   Silty Clay Loam  2.5       50       150
           BOTTOM:      Clay Loam        3.0       20       120

                        *SEDIMENTARY FINE (4)
                        ---------------------
                         Texture:     DEPTH(m):  CFC(%):  SSMC(mm/m):
           RIDGE:       Silt Loam        1.5       80       170
           SLOPE:       Silt Loam        2.5       60       170
           TOE SLOPE:   Silty Clay Loam  3.0       40       150
           BOTTOM:      Clay Loam        3.5       10       120

                        *ALLUVIAL & OTHER COARSE MIXED DEPOSITS (5)
                        -------------------------------------------
                         Texture:     DEPTH(m):  CFC(%):  SSMC(mm/m):
           RIDGE:       Sandy            0.5       80        70
           SLOPE:       Loamy Sand       2.0       70       100
           TOE SLOPE:   Loamy Sand       2.5       60       100
           BOTTOM:      Loamy Sand       3.0       50       100
           ===========================================================
 

The newly generated grids (depth, CFC, and SSMC, respectively) can be used for further analysis now. See swb.aml for further examples.
 
 
 

General specifications of the AML:

Command: &r  soilprop     (at GRID prompt)
Required input: Grids of surface geology and topographic classes
Output units: Grids of SSMC, Depth, and CFC
Speed of calculations: Rather fast
Flexibility of the routine: Medium; user can adjust AML at interface
User interface: Limited, but simple and easy
Known errors:  -
Programmer N.E. Zimmermann
Download: soilprop.aml       (use: "save link as")
Contact: niklaus.zimmermann @ wsl.ch

 

References:
 

Roberts, D.W., Fisher, R.F., Long, J.M. and Jack, S.N., 1993. The Leaf Area Allocation Model. Final Report for EPA Cooperative Agreement #817539.
 
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Last Updated: 9/08/00
By Niklaus E. Zimmermann