Studies on Soil Information System by Using Landsat TM and ASTER Images - Larrache - Morocco

A reliable management policy must begin with a thorough understanding of the available resources. Soil is an important natural nonrenewable resource that serves as a vital medium for all other species. Having comprehensive soil parameters in digital format can aid better management by allowing for better crop allocation and the application of necessary nutrients to each crop. Soil is a three dimensional body with properties that reflect the impact of climate, vegetation, fauna, man and topography on soil's parent material over a variable time span. Furthermore, soil digital information will support sustainable Land use by allowing crops to be distributed based on soil fertility, saving money, effort, and time during the production cycle. There are numerous tools available; Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are two of the most essential instruments utilised in the production of digital spatial soil information supplemented by rigorous field work. Landsat TM and ASTER images were utilised to create a land unit base map that was later used in field work.During the field survey, at least one soil profile was obtained for each land unit, for a total of 317 soil profiles (horizons were described, photographed, and sample were collected). Field observations, such as morphology and vegetation type, have been used to modify land units.

As a result, a full digital soil map for the research area (Larache, Morocco) was created, complete with a database of chemical and physical attributes. This database will serve as the foundation for several critical spatial analyses, such as crop suitability, irrigation, forest development, and capability analysis.