Automatic Transformation and Harmonizing of Soil Data via Digital Translation Keys

Abstract

The development of a translation key between different soil mapping standards was initiated by the German Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR)3. Since 2005 the existing digital translation key (ÜS 1.0) was extended in different branches, which support the transformation between different editions of the German mapping guide (Kartieranleitung) and the international classification world reference base for soil resources (WRB) as well as different software platforms: In addition to the standalone Microsoft Access based solution an Internet application was developed in order to offer access to everyone without the need of installing special software. The Internet translation key requires only a standard web browser and an Internet connection. The software is designed modularly, the translation rules for each parameter are maintained in special translation tables within the database. This concept allows adaptations of translation rules to be done by soil experts without changing the program code.