Improving access to soil data for research: testing the SoilWise Catalogue
Soil researchers often face difficulties finding and reusing relevant soil datasets because data are scattered across many platforms and described using different standards. This limits collaboration, slows research workflows and makes it harder to reuse existing knowledge. The SoilWise project addresses this challenge by developing the SoilWise Catalogue, a digital platform designed to improve the FAIRness (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability and Reusability) of soil data and knowledge.
Demonstration events of the first SoilWise Catalogue prototype with researchers showed how the SoilWise Catalogue can help scientists more quickly identify relevant soil datasets, publications and resources for their research. Through practical scenarios, such as agroforestry studies and phosphorus fertilization experiments, researchers tested how the repository can support modelling and experimental design by improving data discovery. Tools such as faceted filters, metadata search functions and data transformation services (including Hale Studio) help researchers find datasets more efficiently and prepare them for further analysis. Over 100 researchers participated across both events, and 25 continued engaging with the platform afterwards. Based on their feedback, key catalogue features including filtering and metadata handling have already been improved.
For researchers, the main benefit of the SoilWise Catalogue is faster and more targeted access to soil data from different sources, saving time during the data discovery phase of research projects. By using the catalogue and improving the quality of metadata when publishing datasets, researchers can also make their own data easier to find and reuse by others. Feedback from the demonstrations highlighted the importance of clear metadata, improved filtering options and user-friendly interfaces to further enhance data interoperability and collaboration across soil research projects.
An open access knowledge and data catalogue to safeguard soils
Ongoing | 2023-2027
- Main funding source
- Horizon Europe (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- Belgium, Netherlands, Czechia, France, Italy, Germany, Greece, Serbia
Project Keywords
- Soil
- Digitalisation, incl. data and data technologies
- AKIS, incl. advice, training, on-farm demo, interactive innovation projects
- Competitiveness/new business models
- Landscape/land management
- Arable crops
- Crop rotation/crop diversification/dual-purpose or mixed cropping
- Agro-ecology
- Biodiversity and nature
- Climate change (incl. GHG reduction, adaptation and mitigation, and other air related issues)