Keith, A.M. ; Cave, M.R.; Dodd, B.A.; Smart, S.M.; Turner, G.; Tye, A.M.; Wood, C.M. (2020). Soil aggregate stability data from arable and grassland in Countryside Survey, Great Britain 2007 . NERC Environmental Information Data Centre. (Dataset). https://doi.org/10.5285/be3793b6-90fb-4e4c-9515-220cc33223b9
This dataset consists of Particle Size Distribution (PSD) measurements made on 419 archived topsoil samples and derived aggregate stability metrics from arable and grassland habitats across Great Britain in 2007. Laser granulometry was used to measure PSD of 1–2 mm aggregates before and after sonication and the difference in their Mean Weight Diameter (MWD) used to indicate aggregate stability. The samples were collected as part of the Countryside Survey monitoring programme, a unique study or ‘audit’ of the natural resources of the UK’s countryside. The analyses were conducted as part of study aiming to quantify how soil quality indicators change across a gradient of agricultural land management and to identify conditions that determine the ability of different soils to resist and recover from perturbations.
Soil samples were collected in 2007 by Countryside Survey field surveyors, who were provided with a field sampling manual and underwent training for sample collection and processing. Protocols were also provided to cover all aspects of processing of the soil cores from logging in of cores as they arrived at the laboratory to basic measurements, chemical analysis and archiving the final samples. Soils were sieved to 2 mm and air-dried before storage. Pre-measurements were made on samples to determine the best aggregate masses to use for fine, medium and coarse texture soils; this obscuration values. During PSD analyses, a reference soil was analysed in each batch of measurements. Two standard particle size materials were also used throughout the series of analyses to check for accuracy and precision of the PSD measurements by the Laser granulometer instrument.
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This dataset is included in the following collections
England , Great Britain , Land cover , Scotland , Soil , Wales
Funding
Natural Environment Research Council
Last updated
14 March 2024 15:45
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CITE AS: Keith, A.M. ; Cave, M.R.; Dodd, B.A.; Smart, S.M.; Turner, G.; Tye, A.M.; Wood, C.M. (2020). Soil aggregate stability data from arable and grassland in Countryside Survey, Great Britain 2007 . NERC Environmental Information Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/be3793b6-90fb-4e4c-9515-220cc33223b9