The OSSL is only possible through the hard work of many organizations that have produced and provided open high quality soil data. Data-driven advances in soil science are reliant upon these soil collection efforts. We are extremely grateful to the USDA NRCS National Soil Survey Center – Kellogg Soil Survey Laboratory , ICRAF-World Agroforestry , ISRIC-World Soil Information , the Africa Soil Information Service (AfSIS), funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the European Soil Data Centre , the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), and ETH Zurich for producing and providing high quality data that the OSSL can build upon.

If not specified otherwise, all data and results of data mining (models, visualizations and similar) available via the Open Soil Spectral Library (OSSL) are licensed under CC-BY-4.

Design and functionality by:

SoilSpec4GG is a USDA-funded Food and Agriculture Cyberinformatics Tools Coordinated Innovation Network (USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Award #2020-67021-32467 ). This project brings together soil scientists, spectroscopists, informaticians, data scientists and software engineers to overcome some of the current bottlenecks preventing wider and more efficient use of soil spectroscopy.

Any publications using these data should cite the references listed here .

In addition, this database should be referenced as well (DOI representing all versions). If the data has changed since original publication, arising publications should cite the specific version used, ideally with a DOI associated with that version. Authors may contact Jonathan Sanderman (Woodwell Climate Research), Katherine Todd-Brown and/or Tom Hengl (OpenGeoHub foundation) to generate a release and associated DOI that matches the database version used.

In publications, please include some form of the following acknowledgement: “The Open Soil Spectral Library and associated services were developed with funding from USDA NIFA Award #2020-67021-32467.”

Publication describing the production and uses of the OSSL is pending. For technical documentation please refer to:

• Woodwell Climate Research Center, University of Florida, OpenGeoHub and contributors (2021). "Open Soil Spectral Library: technical manual " , https://soilspectroscopy.github.io/ossl-manual/ .

Last updated December 5, 2021

The information provided by Open Soil Spectral Library (“we”, “us”, or “our”) on explorer.soilspectroscopy.org or engine.soilspectroscopy.org (the “Site”) is for general informational purposes only. All information on the Site and generated by the Site is provided in good faith; however, we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information on the Site. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE SHALL WE HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE USE OF THE SITE OR RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED. YOUR USE OF THE SITE AND YOUR RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION ON THE SITE OR GENERATED BY THE SITE IS SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.

The Open Soil Spectral Library is a work in progress. This first release is intended as a sounding board for feedback. The database and estimation services will continue to improve.

Please contribute to this project and help us make better tools for measuring and monitoring our soils and land!

This is how you can contribute:

1. Donate your SSL data so it can be included to the OSSL. Note: we accept only correctly formatted, quality controlled soil spectral scans which come with reference values of soil properties (wet-chemistry).
2. Help develop open source tools that use OSSL for both public needs and business purposes.
3. Report problems and help us debug and resolve issues. Help us make better soil data for a healthier planet!

Jonathan Sanderman, Woodwell Climate Research

https://soilspectroscopy.org/about/