Geopedology promotes precision and efficiency in soil mapping. Photo-interpretation application in the Henares river valley, Spain

Abstract

Two approaches to prepare photo-interpretation maps that guide the location of field observations and serve as frames for soil cartography are compared. The physiographic approach is mainly descriptive and aims at separating relief units on the basis of their physiognomic appearance. The geopedologic approach highlights relationships between soils and geoforms and aims at predicting patterns of soil distribution prior to soil survey. Both approaches have been applied in the Henares river valley (Spain). The two interpretation maps are compared in terms of soil pattern and density of delineations.