A regional soil classification framework to improve soil health diagnosis and management

Soil health research has developed soil tests to validate management strategies for creating healthier soils, such as cover crops, compost, and reduced tillage. Missing in this agenda are diagnostics tailored the systematic variation of soils. The Survey Geographic (SSURGO) database offers comprehensive estimates many properties linked indicators. This uses unsupervised classification surface (0–30 cm) root restrictive horizons an internationally important agricultural region, Central Coastal Valleys California, covering 5.6 million ha mostly cropland. K-means clustering 10 derived from SSURGO revealed groups distinct USDA-NRCS Taxonomy. Clustering metrics, data visualization, validation justified a seven-region conceptual model that divided landscape into two broad classes—those with without performance limitations. Results three pedogenic conditions limiting performance: (a) impede growth deeper soil; (b) salinity alkalinity harmful crops; (c) shrink–swell making soils challenging cultivate. Soils limitations, horizons, salt-affected further by texture and/or organic matter total seven regions. In reality, is often continuous across sometimes fractal nature, but establishes testable framework evaluating according geographically coherent differences properties, demonstrating potential how interpretation can be tailor-made landscape.