Digital soil mapping in Australia. Can it achieve its goals?

Abstract

Digital soil mapping (DSM) has been used from the national to paddock scale in Australia over the past 20 years. However, there has been insufficient objective evaluation of the limitations of DSM. The continual evolution of DSM methods over time have led to a lack of operational stability that creates an ongoing risk associated with the method. The inherent modelling paradigm of DSM (a reliance on systematic variation) is a key factor that creates potentially significant constraints to the use of DSM in Australia, particularly in the context of different scales of application. Inherent covariate limitations create a further potential ceiling to what can be achieved with DSM at any point in time. As part of a more critical and objective approach to the use of the method in Australia, there is a need for more effective exploration and discussion of these and other constraints in the DSM approach. This will hopefully ensure that it is used in a fit-for-purpose and effective manner in the future.