The SRTM-derived base layers are available for download in GeoTIFF format and can be opened using a GIS package. The downloaded folder, which is in .tar.gz format, also contains the metadata catalog record for the selected base layer and a brief description of the AfHySrTM, AfSIS_SCA, and AfSIS_TWI datasets. Once the compressed folder has been downloaded, users will need to:

Step 1. Decompress downloaded folder

For Windows Users: -

The need to maintain the health of the soil resource base as an imperative for sustainable development is increasingly being recognized. Science and technological developments in remote sensing are providing new opportunities for low cost and efficient applications for characterizing and monitoring the health of the soil resource base. We are pleased to introduce this spectral library of world soils, which will provide a valuable resource for research and applications for sensing soil quality both in the laboratory and from space.

Hydrologically Corrected / Adjusted SRTM Digital Elevation Model (AfrHySRTM)

AfrHySRTM is an adjusted elevation raster in which any depressions in the source Digital Elevation Model (DEM) have been eliminated (filled), but allowing for internal drainage since some landscapes contain natural depressions. These landscapes have their own internal drainage systems, which are not connected to adjacent watersheds. Null cells (drains) were placed in depressions exceeding a depth limit of 20 m and with no less than 1000 cells (pixels) during the DEM adjustment process.

A literature and case-based meta-analyses of soil management practices and systems for maintaining or improving soil productivity in SSA is also being undertaken. The project is synthesizing results from fertilizer response, soil conservation and ISFM field trials targeted at improving soil productivity in SSA. The data is being compiled from the network of about 20 long-term trials maintained by AfNet, from field trials conducted by TSBF, from past and current trials conducted on field stations by the NARS of the 5 targeted countries (e.g.

There currently are no consistent, large-area (hundreds of square kilometers and larger) mechanisms for testing the efficacy of fertilizer use, conservation tillage, integrated soil fertility management, erosion control, livestock stocking, and agroforestry interventions in SSA.

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).

There are some notable problems associated with using soil legacy data for soil mapping and surveillance. For the most part, soil legacy data were not purposely sampled to cover large areas using statistical sampling criteria and randomization procedures, and are thus not representative of the overall condition of soils in SSA. Most traditional soil surveys emphasized management invariant sub-soil properties that may not reflect changes in soil health and degradation.

ICRAF-ISRIC VNIR Soil Spectral Library now available here.

AfSIS has produced large-area mosaics of radiometrically calibrated, orthorectified LandsatMSS,TM and ETM+ images. We have also developed SRTM terrain model derivatives (e.g. terrain units, slopes, curvatures, contributing areas, compound topographic and erosion/deposition indices and watershed delineations).