The map below indicates the existing paper soil maps and the number of soil profiles (legacy data) in various databases. The spatial and soil profile data, which has been incorporated in a database, includes: Southern Africa, Central Africa, and Senegal (the area in green in the map below). For the other countries, existing soil survey reports, old paper maps and soil profile data are being collected where feasible. We estimate that half of the legacy data is located at NARS and the other half of the data is available at ISRIC (e.g. WISE database, map library). To complete the SSA soil legacy database the following is required: collection of data at the NARS, screening and quality control, data entry, and compilation of the database. The sequence in which the soil legacy database is being compiled follows the work at the sentinel sites.

For much of the globe, legacy data is the only source of soil data for producing the digital soil map. This recognizes the expertise of previous generations of soil scientists and prior investments in generating these data. Prior studies have shown that legacy data are invaluable predictors for digital soil mapping.

All legacy soil data will be presented in a soil-landscape map that is linked to a soil profile database. The landscape units will be based on a physiographic analysis of the 90 m SRTM DEM data, a methodological development that will take place in the EU FP7 e-SOTER project coordinated by ISRIC. Spatial reliability and soil attribute quality indications are being included in the database.