Accessing WoSIS-derived datasets

Standardised datasets derived from WoSIS are distributed using two formats. The most recent, latest (dynamic) version can be accessed through an OGC-compliant WFS (Web Feature Service). Further, snapshot (static) dataset in TXT format are provided for consistent citation purposes.

Dataset versions

Snapshot (static) dataset: These are a representation of the complement of standardised data available at a given moment (e.g. July 2016). Each snapshot is given a unique name and digital object identifier (doi) for consistent citation purposes.
So far, one snapshot has been released. The file can be downloaded here; methodological details are provided in a paper in Earth System Data Journal.
WFS link for your GIS application: http://data.isric.org/geoserver/wosis_snapshot/wfs
Latest (dynamic) dataset: This dataset contains the most recent complement of standardised soil data served from WoSIS. Being dynamic, the dataset will grow once new point data are standardised, additional soil properties are considered, and/or when possible corrections are required.
The latest dataset is served through an OGC-compliant WFS (Web Feature Service).
WFS link for your GIS application: http://data.isric.org/geoserver/wosis_latest/wfs

Procedures for accessing the point data from QGIS respectively R using WFS are described in the Procedures Manual (App. A).

File naming conventions and descriptions as used in WoSIS:
Code	Property	Units	Description
BDFI	Bulk density fine earth	kg/dm³	Bulk density of the fine earth fraction*
BDWS	Bulk density whole soil	kg/dm³	Bulk density of the whole soil including coarse fragments
TCEQ	Calcium carbonate equivalent total	g/kg	The content of carbonate in a liming material or calcareous soil calculated as if all of the carbonate is in the form of CaCO₃(in the fine earth fraction); also known as inorganic carbon
ORGC	Organic carbon	g/kg	Gravimetric content of organic carbon in the fine earth fraction
TOTC	Total carbon	g/kg	Gravimetric content of organic carbon and inorganic carbon in the fine earth fraction
CECX	Cation exchange capacity	cmol(c)/kg	Capacity of the fine earth fraction to hold exchangeable cations, estimated by buffering the soil at specified pH (e.g. pH7 or pH8)
ECEC	Effective cation exchange capacity	cmol(c)/kg	Capacity of the fine earth fraction to hold exchangeable cations at the pH of the soil (ECEC). Conventionally approximated by summation of exchangeable bases (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, and Na⁺) plus 1 N KCl exchangeable acidity (Al³⁺ and H⁺) in acidic soils
ELCO	Electrical conductivity	dS/m	Ability of a 1:x soil water extract to conduct electrical current (EC_x) EC_e refers to values measured in a saturated soil extract
CFGR	Coarse fragments gravimetric total	g/100g	Gravimetric content of coarse fragments in the whole soil
CFVO	Coarse fragments volumetric total	cm³/100cm³	Volumetric content of the coarse fragments in the whole soil
CLAY	Clay total	g/100g	Gravimetric content of < 0.002 mm soil material in the fine earth fraction
SILT	Silt total	g/100g	0.002 mm to Y mm fraction of the fine earth fraction; Y as specified in the analytical method descriptions
SAND	Sand total	g/100g	Larger than Y mm fraction of the fine earth fraction ; Y as specified in the analytical method descriptions
PHCA	pH CaCl2		A measure of the acidity or alkalinity in soils, defined as the negative logarithm (base 10) of the activity of hydronium ions (H₊) in a CaCl₂ solution, as specified in the analytical method descriptions
PHAQ	pH H2O		A measure of the acidity or alkalinity in soils, defined as the negative logarithm (base 10) of the activity of hydronium ions (H⁺) in water
PHKC	pH KCl		A measure of the acidity or alkalinity in soils, defined as the negative logarithm (base 10) of the activity of hydronium ions (H⁺) in a KCl solution, as specified in the analytical method descriptions
PHNF	pH NaF		A measure of the acidity or alkalinity in soils, defined as the negative logarithm (base 10) of the activity of hydronium ions (H⁺) in a NaF solution, as specified in the analytical method descriptions
WG1500	Water retention gravimetric - 1500 kPa	g/100g	Soil moisture content by weight, at tension 1500 kPa
WG0500	Water retention gravimetric - 500 kPa	g/100g	Soil moisture content by weight, at tension 500 kPa
WG0200	Water retention gravimetric - 200 kPa	g/100g	Soil moisture content by weight, at tension 200 kPa
WG0100	Water retention gravimetric - 100 kPa	g/100g	Soil moisture content by weight, at tension 100 kPa
WG0033	Water retention gravimetric - 33 kPa	g/100g	Soil moisture content by weight, at tension 33 kPa
WG0010	Water retention gravimetric - 10 kPa	g/100g	Soil moisture content by weight, at tension 10 kPa
WG0006	Water retention gravimetric - 6 kPa	g/100g	Soil moisture content by weight, at tension 6 kPa
WV1500	Water retention volumetric - 1500 kPa	cm³/100cm³	Soil moisture content by volume, at tension 1500 kPa
WV0500	Water retention volumetric - 500 kPa	cm³/100cm³	Soil moisture content by volume, at tension 500 kPa
WV0200	Water retention volumetric - 200 kPa	cm³/100cm³	Soil moisture content by volume, at tension 200 kPa
WV0100	Water retention volumetric - 100 kPa	cm³/100cm³	Soil moisture content by volume, at tension 100 kPa
WV0033	Water retention volumetric - 33 kPa	cm³/100cm³	Soil moisture content by volume, at tension 33 kPa
WV010	Water retention volumetric - 10 kPa	cm³/100cm³	Soil moisture content by volume, at tension 10 kPa
WV0006	Water retention volumetric - 6 kPa	cm³/100cm³	Soil moisture content by volume, at tension 6 kPa
CFAO	Soil classification FAO		Classification of the soil profile according to specified edition (year) of the FAO-Unesco Legend (up to soil unit level)
CWRB	Soil classification WRB		Classification of the soil profile according to specified edition (year) of the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB, up to qualifier level)
CSTX	Soil classification Soil Taxonomy		Classification of the soil profile according to specified edition (year) of the USDA Soil Taxonomy (up to subgroup level)
DSDS	Depth of soil - sampled	cm	Total depth of soil sampled

* The fine earth fraction is generally defined as being < 2 mm. However, an upper limit of 1 mm was used in the former Soviet Union and its sattelite states (Katchynsky scheme). This has been indicated in the database.

** Where available, the 'cleaned' (original) layer/horizon designation is provided for general information; these codes have not been standardised.

Technical documentation

Ribeiro E, Batjes NH and Van Oostrum AJM 2018. World Soil Information Service (WoSIS) - Towards the standardization and harmonization of world soil data. Procedures Manual 2018. ISRIC report 2018/01, ISRIC - World Soil Information, Wageningen, 166 p. (PDF)

Batjes NH, Ribeiro E, van Oostrum A, Leenaars J, Hengl T, and Mendes de Jesus J 2017: WoSIS - Providing standardised soil profile data for the world, Earth System Science Data 9, 1-14 (PDF).

Mailing list

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