Summary
This study presents comprehensive digital soil maps of three key macronutrients (N, P, K) across Emilia-Romagna in north-east Italy, derived from a large regional soil database (n=34,750) using quantile random forests modelling. The maps reveal substantial geographical variation, particularly for phosphorus, with the alluvial plain showing higher available P (40.4 mg kg⁻¹) than the Apennines (15.2 mg kg⁻¹), whilst nitrogen and potassium distributions differ more modestly between landforms. This work provides a spatially explicit baseline for regional soil fertility assessment and supports compliance with EU soil monitoring legislation.
UK applicability
The methodological approach (digital soil mapping via quantile random forests applied to large regional soil databases) is directly transferable to UK soil monitoring programmes and could support DEFRA's soil health monitoring framework. However, the specific nutrient thresholds and distributions are regionally specific to Italy's climatic, geological and management contexts, and UK soils would require their own regional mapping exercises for direct applicability.
Key measures
Total nitrogen (g kg⁻¹), exchangeable potassium (mg kg⁻¹), and available phosphorus (mg kg⁻¹) in 0–30 cm topsoil layer; spatial uncertainty estimates at 100 m resolution; comparison with LUCAS EU baseline data
Outcomes reported
The study produced high-resolution (100 m) digital maps of soil nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content in the topsoil (0–30 cm) across Emilia-Romagna using quantile random forests applied to 34,750 regional soil samples. Results showed distinct macronutrient profiles between the intensively cultivated alluvial plain and extensively managed Apennine mountains, providing a regional baseline for EU soil monitoring compliance.
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