ESBN's older soil profile database. See SPADE2 for latest. contains soil profile characterisations with physical and chemical
analyses. The initial objective was to compile data for the dominant STU in each SMU, from representative soil profile data
selected by the experts in each contributing country. Initially difficulties arose because compilation of the data had begun
prior to finalisation of the SMUs for the whole of Europe (some geographical coverage was added in 1995-97 after the SPADE
1 project had finished). There were other problems of data harmonisation across country boundaries and some countries, bound
by confidentiality, were unable to release georeferenced data. To overcome the latter problem, the decision was made to define
two different kinds of profiles, for each STU and record estimated and/or measured soil profile data depending on availability
(Madsen and Jones, 1995).The estimated soil profile data were based on expert judgement that these data are representative
of the modal concept of an STU rather than a georeferenced profile. As such the estimated data are, based on the average of
various observations and expert knowledge, which are essentially more appropriate. The measured soil profile data are derived
directly from georeferenced soil profiles that have been described and sampled in the field, and analysed in the laboratory.
For estimated profiles the analytical methods are defined to facilitate trans-national comparisons. For measured profiles,
the analytical methods were coded and missing values identified.
Citation
Title European Soil Profile Analytical Database (SPADE)