Validation of SoilGrids 2.0 in an Arid Region of India using In Situ Measurements

As one of the Earth’s most important natural resources, soil plays a prominent role in regulating ecosystem services, human food production systems and facilitating region’s sustainable development. Of late, due recognition has been given to sciences information as they act core achieve targets land degradation neutrality help fostering governance. In this regard, availability global databases paves way for implementing successful systems. Currently, harmonized world database from Food Agriculture Organization SoilGrids International Soil References Information Centre serve various data products geospatial-ready format scientific fraternity. study, 2.0 is validated with situ measurements arid region Thar Desert. fractions pH at top surface (0–5 cm) subsurface (5–15 were measured through sample analysis collected study area compared values retrieved same location. This comparison shows that underestimated sand fragments up ~28% overestimated ~14% silt clay fragments. Deviation was also observed root mean square error unit. However, texture classes field by 2.0, systematic shift found, indicating robustness prediction algorithm can be fine-tuned incorporating additional profiles (from contributing agencies) current snapshot lacks dense well-distributed region.