converting FAO SOTER soil map to SWAT attributes

[Timo Brussee]

Hey everyone,

Is there anyone that has any experience in converting SOTER soil maps (KenSOTERv2 and SOTERSAF) to ArcSWAT2012 parameters/attributes? Is there an easy way to do this?

I already am having problems connecting the Soter unit-ID (SUID from the ArcGIS attribute table) to the Profile-ID given in the Access-database of the SOTERmap.

I am not vey experienced in ArcSWAT2012, and am trying to fill the following columns:

HYDGRP: Soil Hydraulic Group (A, B, C, or D) [required]

SOL_ZMX: Maximum rooting depth of soil profile (mm) [required]

SOL_Z(layer #): Depth from soil surface to bottom of layer (mm) [required]

SOL_BD(layer #): Moist bulk density (Mg/m³ or g/cm³). Values should fall between 1.1 and 1.9 Mg/m³. [required]

SOL_AWC(layer #): Available water capacity of the soil layer (mm H₂O/mm soil) [required]

SOL_K(layer#): Saturated hydraulic conductivity (mm/hr) [required]

SOL_CBN(layer #): Organic carbon content (% soil weight) [required]

SOL_CLAY(layer #): Clay content (% soil weight) [required]

SOL_SILT(layer #): Silt content (% soil weight) [required]

SOL_SAND(layer #): Sand content (%s soil weight) [required]

SOL_ROCK(layer #): Rock fragment content (% total weight) [required]

SOL_ALB(top layer): Moist soil albedo [required]

USLE_K(top layer): USLE equation soil erodibility (K) factor (units: 0.013 (metric ton m² hr)/(m³-metric ton cm)). [required]

The file:

- DatabaseStructureSOTER: (SOTER Global and National Soils and Terrain Digital Databases Database Structure v3)

explains which attributes should be included in a SOTER soil map. These attribute fields however are often not filled...

- KENSOTERv2: access database of the KENSOTERvs soil map of Kenya

-KENSA_DomSo_Ma_Edit: exported excel file of the ArcGIS attribute table of the Mara catchment going through Kenya and Tanzania

Every tiny bit of information would be helpful!

[Johanna Schwarz]

Hey, 

did you find out how to do it? I am working with SOTER for Nepal and I have no idea how to convert the SOTER soil map to ArcSWAT2012. 

Would be great if you have any advice!