Soil Bulk Density in Europe

This dataset includes bulk density for Europe in 0-20cm, 0-10cm, 10-20cm layers generated with advanced Cubist rule-based regression model. We also provide the Packing density estimation based on bulk density and clay content. In addition, we make available the point data measurements of bulk density
Resource Type: 
Datasets
Soil Threats Data
Registration is requested: 
Yes
Year: 
2024
Themes: 
Soil Compaction

Title: Bulk density in the EU

Description: In the LUCAS 2018 survey, bulk density has been analysed for different depths, i.e., 0–10 cm = 6140 sites; 10–20 cm = 5684 sites. We spatialised the circa 6000 LUCAS samples and developed the high-resolution map (100 m) of bulk density for the 0–20 cm depth and the maps at 0–10 and 10–20 cm depth. The modelling results showed a very good prediction (R2: 0.66) of bulk density for the 0–20 cm depth which outperforms previous assessments. The bulk density maps can be used to estimate packing density which is a proxy to estimate soil compaction.

Key findings:

  • The main driver for bulk density variation is the land cover type.
  • Croplands have almost 1.5 times higher bulk density compared to woodlands.
  • Compared to existing pedotransfer rules, there is an overestimation of BD in woodlands (∼25%).
  • The comparison between measured BD and current modelled BD outperforms (R-Squared) the other regional and global models.


Spatial coverage: EU+ UK
Pixel size: 100m
Measurement Unit: Mg m-3 (or  g cm-3)
Projection: EPSG:3035 - ETRS89-extended / LAEA Europe
Temporal coverage:  2018 (as LUCAS Samples were taken in 2018)
Type of Dataset: GeoTiff
More information about Bulk Density assessments

Reference: Panagos, P., De Rosa, D., Liakos, L., Labouyrie, M., Borrelli, P., Ballabio, C., 2024. Soil bulk density assessment in Europe. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 364: 108907. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2024.108907

 

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By sending these data, you declare that you have read & accept the notification below and that your personal data will be handled by the JRC only for statistical purposes (conform to privacy statement).

For any problem / question / comment on this dataset, please contact ec-esdac@ec.europa.eu

Notification:

  1. The data provided has been prepared for use by internal research activities in the Joint Research Centre (JRC) Ispra
  2. We aknowledge the suppport from Administrative Arrangement on Land Use/Land Cover Area Frame Survey (LUCAS) between JRC and DG ENV, DG ESTAT and DG AGRI.
  3. The data are the result of JRC research activities and are primarily made available for further research. The JRC does not accept any liability whatsoever for any error, missing data or omission in the data, or for any loss or damage arising from its use. The JRC agrees to provide the data free of charge but is not bound to justify the content and values contained in the databases.
  4. The permission to use the data specified above is granted on condition that, under NO CIRCUMSTANCES are these data passed to third parties. They can be used for any purpose, including commercial gain.
  5. The user agrees to:
    • make proper reference to the source of the data when disseminating the results to which this agreement relates;
    • Participate in the verification of the data (e.g. by noting and reporting any errors or omissions discovered to the JRC).

 

Reference of source (Citations) :

Panagos, P., De Rosa, D., Liakos, L., Labouyrie, M., Borrelli, P., Ballabio, C., 2024. Soil bulk density assessment in Europe. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 364: 108907. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2024.108907

When making reference to the ESDAC

  • Panagos, P., Van Liedekerke, M., Borrelli, P., Köninger, J., Ballabio, C., Orgiazzi, A., Lugato, E., Liakos, L., Hervas, J., Jones, A.  Montanarella, L. 2022. European Soil Data Centre 2.0: Soil data and knowledge in support of the EU policies. European Journal of Soil Science, 73(6), e13315. DOI: 10.1111/ejss.13315
  • Panagos P., Van Liedekerke M., Jones A., Montanarella L., “European Soil Data Centre: Response to European policy support and public data requirements”; (2012) Land Use Policy, 29 (2), pp. 329-338. doi:10.1016/j.landusepol.2011.07.003
  • European Soil Data Centre (ESDAC), esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu, European Commission, Joint Research Centre