Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-1087
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-1087
30 Jun 2023
 | 30 Jun 2023

Dataset variability and carbonate concentration influence the performance of local visible-near infrared spectral models

Simon Oberholzer, Laura Summerauer, Markus Steffens, and Chinwe Ifejika Speranza

Abstract. The application of visual and near infrared soil spectroscopy (vis–NIR) is an easy and cost-efficient way to gain a wide variety of soil information to cover high spatial and temporal resolution in large-scale soil surveys and in local field-scale studies. However, unlike for conventional methods, the prediction accuracy of vis–NIR spectral models cannot yet be estimated before the data collection, which hampers its application at the local scale where often a high precision is required (e.g., field experiments). In this study we used soil data from six agricultural fields in Eastern Switzerland and calibrated i) field-specific (local) models and ii) general models (combining all fields) for organic carbon, total carbon, total nitrogen, permanganate oxidizable carbon and pH using partial least squares regression. 24 out of 30 local models showed an accurate or even excellent performance (ratio of performance to deviation (RPD) > 2) and the root mean square errors (RMSE) of prediction were, except for pH, maximum five times higher than the lab measurement error. The variability of a specific soil property and the mean carbonate concentration in the dataset were the two factors influencing the performance of the local models. We found a significant relationship between the coefficient of variation in the dataset and the metrics for model performance (R2, percental RMSE and RPD). Starting from a tolerable prediction error for the spectral measurements, the regressions can be used to develop a sampling design that matches the corresponding target variability. The five inaccurately performing local models with RPD < 2 were on the two fields with highest carbonate content raising the question if local vis–NIR models are suitable for soils with high carbonate concentration. General models combining the datasets from all six fields showed an accurate overall performance but the RMSE on the field level were higher compared to the local models.

Simon Oberholzer et al.

Status: final response (author comments only)

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-1087', Anonymous Referee #1, 26 Jul 2023
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Simon Oberholzer, 12 Sep 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-1087', Anonymous Referee #2, 18 Aug 2023
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Simon Oberholzer, 12 Sep 2023

Simon Oberholzer et al.

Simon Oberholzer et al.

Viewed

Total article views: 268 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total Supplement BibTeX EndNote
212 42 14 268 22 4 4
  • HTML: 212
  • PDF: 42
  • XML: 14
  • Total: 268
  • Supplement: 22
  • BibTeX: 4
  • EndNote: 4
Views and downloads (calculated since 30 Jun 2023)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 30 Jun 2023)

Viewed (geographical distribution)

Total article views: 269 (including HTML, PDF, and XML) Thereof 269 with geography defined and 0 with unknown origin.
Country # Views %
  • 1
1
 
 
 
 
Latest update: 03 Oct 2023
Download
Short summary
This study evaluates the suitability of visible - near infrared spectroscopy for soil research projects of local extent. The prediction error of local spectral models was linearly correlated with the variability of the soil property. Additionally, a high carbonate content in the soil led to lower model performance. These findings contribute to a better understanding of soil spectroscopy in projects of local extent and help facilitate the establishment and implementation of new studies.