The document outlines an e-learning course on digital soil mapping (DSM). The 9-week course covers basic soil mapping principles, the evolution of DSM, input data collection and preprocessing, predictive modeling techniques, mapping soil properties, and accuracy assessment. Participants who successfully complete the course and final exam will receive a DSM certificate from FAO. The course aims to help participants understand and apply DSM approaches to produce and document soil maps.

1. Capacity development on DSM
2nd Workshop of the INSII
Guillermo Federico Olmedo and Christian Omuto
23-25 November 2016, FAO HQ, Malaysia Room, Rome,
Italy

2. DSM
e learning course on DSM
soil mapping principles, DSM practice, and product
dissemination:
It begins by exposure to the basic principles of soil
formation and soil mapping, then illustrates the evolution of
soil mapping paradigms and advent of DSM, stresses on
the application of computing and GIS, and finally
demonstrating how to document and disseminate DSM
products.
Users of soil information intending to build their own
soil-map databases can also benefit from the course.
Duration: 9 learning weeks and a final examination
Certification: Successful participants will be given DSM
certificate of FAO, GSP

3. DSM
Course objectives
Understand the meaning and evolution of the concept of
digital soil mapping (DSM)
Understand soil mapping principles
Appreciate the differences between conventional and
digital soil mapping approaches
Identify sources of input data for DSM
Evaluate input and output data in a DSM process
Appreciate the strengths and weakness of legacy data,
computing and GIS in DSM
Produce a soil map using DSM approach
Properly document DSM products

4. DSM
Course schedule
Offered once/twice in a year?
Or always open?
5? 10 hours a week?

5. DSM
Contents
Introduction to Digital Soil Mapping (1 week)
Soil formation and need for soil mapping
Conventional soil profile classification and soil mapping
Challenges with conventional soil Mapping
Evolution of digital soil mapping paradigm
Meaning, theory, Concepts and misconceptions
Soil mapping caucuses and fora
DSM specifications
DSM steps and requirements
Exercise (traditional soil classification and mapping)

6. DSM
Contents
Introduction to Digital Soil Mapping (1 week)
Soil formation and need for soil mapping
Conventional soil profile classification and soil mapping
Challenges with conventional soil Mapping
Evolution of digital soil mapping paradigm
Meaning, theory, Concepts and misconceptions
Soil mapping caucuses and fora
DSM specifications
DSM steps and requirements
Exercise (traditional soil classification and mapping)

7. DSM
Contents
Introduction to Digital Soil Mapping (1 week)
Soil formation and need for soil mapping
Conventional soil profile classification and soil mapping
Challenges with conventional soil Mapping
Evolution of digital soil mapping paradigm
Meaning, theory, Concepts and misconceptions
Soil mapping caucuses and fora
DSM specifications
DSM steps and requirements
Exercise (traditional soil classification and mapping)

8. DSM
Contents
Introduction to Digital Soil Mapping (1 week)
Soil formation and need for soil mapping
Conventional soil profile classification and soil mapping
Challenges with conventional soil Mapping
Evolution of digital soil mapping paradigm
Meaning, theory, Concepts and misconceptions
Soil mapping caucuses and fora
DSM specifications
DSM steps and requirements
Exercise (traditional soil classification and mapping)

9. DSM
Contents
Introduction to Digital Soil Mapping (1 week)
Soil formation and need for soil mapping
Conventional soil profile classification and soil mapping
Challenges with conventional soil Mapping
Evolution of digital soil mapping paradigm
Meaning, theory, Concepts and misconceptions
Soil mapping caucuses and fora
DSM specifications
DSM steps and requirements
Exercise (traditional soil classification and mapping)

10. DSM
Contents
Introduction to Digital Soil Mapping (1 week)
Soil formation and need for soil mapping
Conventional soil profile classification and soil mapping
Challenges with conventional soil Mapping
Evolution of digital soil mapping paradigm
Meaning, theory, Concepts and misconceptions
Soil mapping caucuses and fora
DSM specifications
DSM steps and requirements
Exercise (traditional soil classification and mapping)

11. DSM
Contents
Introduction to Digital Soil Mapping (1 week)
Soil formation and need for soil mapping
Conventional soil profile classification and soil mapping
Challenges with conventional soil Mapping
Evolution of digital soil mapping paradigm
Meaning, theory, Concepts and misconceptions
Soil mapping caucuses and fora
DSM specifications
DSM steps and requirements
Exercise (traditional soil classification and mapping)

12. DSM
Contents
Introduction to Digital Soil Mapping (1 week)
Soil formation and need for soil mapping
Conventional soil profile classification and soil mapping
Challenges with conventional soil Mapping
Evolution of digital soil mapping paradigm
Meaning, theory, Concepts and misconceptions
Soil mapping caucuses and fora
DSM specifications
DSM steps and requirements
Exercise (traditional soil classification and mapping)

13. DSM
Contents
Introduction to Digital Soil Mapping (1 week)
Soil formation and need for soil mapping
Conventional soil profile classification and soil mapping
Challenges with conventional soil Mapping
Evolution of digital soil mapping paradigm
Meaning, theory, Concepts and misconceptions
Soil mapping caucuses and fora
DSM specifications
DSM steps and requirements
Exercise (traditional soil classification and mapping)

14. DSM
Contents
Introduction to Digital Soil Mapping (1 week)
Soil formation and need for soil mapping
Conventional soil profile classification and soil mapping
Challenges with conventional soil Mapping
Evolution of digital soil mapping paradigm
Meaning, theory, Concepts and misconceptions
Soil mapping caucuses and fora
DSM specifications
DSM steps and requirements
Exercise (traditional soil classification and mapping)

15. DSM
Contents
Input data documentation (1 week)
Identifying data sources
Collecting and documenting data sources
Introduction to software for building GIS database (GIS
data preprocessing operations)
Exercise (GIS database development)

16. DSM
Contents
Input data documentation (1 week)
Identifying data sources
Collecting and documenting data sources
Introduction to software for building GIS database (GIS
data preprocessing operations)
Exercise (GIS database development)

17. DSM
Contents
Input data documentation (1 week)
Identifying data sources
Collecting and documenting data sources
Introduction to software for building GIS database (GIS
data preprocessing operations)
Exercise (GIS database development)

18. DSM
Contents
Input data documentation (1 week)
Identifying data sources
Collecting and documenting data sources
Introduction to software for building GIS database (GIS
data preprocessing operations)
Exercise (GIS database development)

19. DSM
Contents
Input data documentation (1 week)
Identifying data sources
Collecting and documenting data sources
Introduction to software for building GIS database (GIS
data preprocessing operations)
Exercise (GIS database development)

20. DSM
Contents
Data preprocessing and GIS database development (1
week)
Steps for building GIS database
Identifying data characteristics
Identifying data preprocessing needs
GIS preprocessing operations (coordinate transformation,
Image correction, spatial interpolation, format conversion,
clip operations, terrain modeling)
Harmonizing lateral and vertical data uniformity and
statistical uniformity
Developing a stack of harmonized GIS layers (SCORPAN
factors)
Build and document PCA of input data
Exercise (Building PCA of SCORPAN factors)

21. DSM
Contents
Data preprocessing and GIS database development (1
week)
Steps for building GIS database
Identifying data characteristics
Identifying data preprocessing needs
GIS preprocessing operations (coordinate transformation,
Image correction, spatial interpolation, format conversion,
clip operations, terrain modeling)
Harmonizing lateral and vertical data uniformity and
statistical uniformity
Developing a stack of harmonized GIS layers (SCORPAN
factors)
Build and document PCA of input data
Exercise (Building PCA of SCORPAN factors)

22. DSM
Contents
Data preprocessing and GIS database development (1
week)
Steps for building GIS database
Identifying data characteristics
Identifying data preprocessing needs
GIS preprocessing operations (coordinate transformation,
Image correction, spatial interpolation, format conversion,
clip operations, terrain modeling)
Harmonizing lateral and vertical data uniformity and
statistical uniformity
Developing a stack of harmonized GIS layers (SCORPAN
factors)
Build and document PCA of input data
Exercise (Building PCA of SCORPAN factors)

23. DSM
Contents
Data preprocessing and GIS database development (1
week)
Steps for building GIS database
Identifying data characteristics
Identifying data preprocessing needs
GIS preprocessing operations (coordinate transformation,
Image correction, spatial interpolation, format conversion,
clip operations, terrain modeling)
Harmonizing lateral and vertical data uniformity and
statistical uniformity
Developing a stack of harmonized GIS layers (SCORPAN
factors)
Build and document PCA of input data
Exercise (Building PCA of SCORPAN factors)

24. DSM
Contents
Data preprocessing and GIS database development (1
week)
Steps for building GIS database
Identifying data characteristics
Identifying data preprocessing needs
GIS preprocessing operations (coordinate transformation,
Image correction, spatial interpolation, format conversion,
clip operations, terrain modeling)
Harmonizing lateral and vertical data uniformity and
statistical uniformity
Developing a stack of harmonized GIS layers (SCORPAN
factors)
Build and document PCA of input data
Exercise (Building PCA of SCORPAN factors)

25. DSM
Contents
Data preprocessing and GIS database development (1
week)
Steps for building GIS database
Identifying data characteristics
Identifying data preprocessing needs
GIS preprocessing operations (coordinate transformation,
Image correction, spatial interpolation, format conversion,
clip operations, terrain modeling)
Harmonizing lateral and vertical data uniformity and
statistical uniformity
Developing a stack of harmonized GIS layers (SCORPAN
factors)
Build and document PCA of input data
Exercise (Building PCA of SCORPAN factors)

26. DSM
Contents
Data preprocessing and GIS database development (1
week)
Steps for building GIS database
Identifying data characteristics
Identifying data preprocessing needs
GIS preprocessing operations (coordinate transformation,
Image correction, spatial interpolation, format conversion,
clip operations, terrain modeling)
Harmonizing lateral and vertical data uniformity and
statistical uniformity
Developing a stack of harmonized GIS layers (SCORPAN
factors)
Build and document PCA of input data
Exercise (Building PCA of SCORPAN factors)

27. DSM
Contents
Data preprocessing and GIS database development (1
week)
Steps for building GIS database
Identifying data characteristics
Identifying data preprocessing needs
GIS preprocessing operations (coordinate transformation,
Image correction, spatial interpolation, format conversion,
clip operations, terrain modeling)
Harmonizing lateral and vertical data uniformity and
statistical uniformity
Developing a stack of harmonized GIS layers (SCORPAN
factors)
Build and document PCA of input data
Exercise (Building PCA of SCORPAN factors)

28. DSM
Contents
Data preprocessing and GIS database development (1
week)
Steps for building GIS database
Identifying data characteristics
Identifying data preprocessing needs
GIS preprocessing operations (coordinate transformation,
Image correction, spatial interpolation, format conversion,
clip operations, terrain modeling)
Harmonizing lateral and vertical data uniformity and
statistical uniformity
Developing a stack of harmonized GIS layers (SCORPAN
factors)
Build and document PCA of input data
Exercise (Building PCA of SCORPAN factors)

29. DSM
Contents
Introduction to DSM predictive models (2 weeks)
Parametric models
Non-parametric models
Neural networks
Exercise (software selection)
Software for DSM predictive modeling (1 weeks)
Commercial software
Free and open source software
Example applications
Exercise (DSM predictive modeling)

30. DSM
Contents
Introduction to DSM predictive models (2 weeks)
Parametric models
Non-parametric models
Neural networks
Exercise (software selection)
Software for DSM predictive modeling (1 weeks)
Commercial software
Free and open source software
Example applications
Exercise (DSM predictive modeling)

31. DSM
Contents
Introduction to DSM predictive models (2 weeks)
Parametric models
Non-parametric models
Neural networks
Exercise (software selection)
Software for DSM predictive modeling (1 weeks)
Commercial software
Free and open source software
Example applications
Exercise (DSM predictive modeling)

32. DSM
Contents
Introduction to DSM predictive models (2 weeks)
Parametric models
Non-parametric models
Neural networks
Exercise (software selection)
Software for DSM predictive modeling (1 weeks)
Commercial software
Free and open source software
Example applications
Exercise (DSM predictive modeling)

33. DSM
Contents
Introduction to DSM predictive models (2 weeks)
Parametric models
Non-parametric models
Neural networks
Exercise (software selection)
Software for DSM predictive modeling (1 weeks)
Commercial software
Free and open source software
Example applications
Exercise (DSM predictive modeling)

34. DSM
Contents
Introduction to DSM predictive models (2 weeks)
Parametric models
Non-parametric models
Neural networks
Exercise (software selection)
Software for DSM predictive modeling (1 weeks)
Commercial software
Free and open source software
Example applications
Exercise (DSM predictive modeling)

35. DSM
Contents
Introduction to DSM predictive models (2 weeks)
Parametric models
Non-parametric models
Neural networks
Exercise (software selection)
Software for DSM predictive modeling (1 weeks)
Commercial software
Free and open source software
Example applications
Exercise (DSM predictive modeling)

36. DSM
Contents
Introduction to DSM predictive models (2 weeks)
Parametric models
Non-parametric models
Neural networks
Exercise (software selection)
Software for DSM predictive modeling (1 weeks)
Commercial software
Free and open source software
Example applications
Exercise (DSM predictive modeling)

37. DSM
Contents
Introduction to DSM predictive models (2 weeks)
Parametric models
Non-parametric models
Neural networks
Exercise (software selection)
Software for DSM predictive modeling (1 weeks)
Commercial software
Free and open source software
Example applications
Exercise (DSM predictive modeling)

38. DSM
Contents
Introduction to DSM predictive models (2 weeks)
Parametric models
Non-parametric models
Neural networks
Exercise (software selection)
Software for DSM predictive modeling (1 weeks)
Commercial software
Free and open source software
Example applications
Exercise (DSM predictive modeling)

39. DSM
Contents
DSM of soil properties (1 week)
Mapping of continuous soil properties
Mapping of categorical soil properties
Exercise (DSM of soil properties)
Accuracy assessment of DSM outputs (1 week)
Meaning of accuracy and uncertainty
Methods of uncertainty and accuracy assessment
Reporting uncertainty and accuracy
Uncertainty and accuracy assessment of DSM outputs
Exercise (Uncertainty and Accuracy assessment of DSM)

40. DSM
Contents
DSM of soil properties (1 week)
Mapping of continuous soil properties
Mapping of categorical soil properties
Exercise (DSM of soil properties)
Accuracy assessment of DSM outputs (1 week)
Meaning of accuracy and uncertainty
Methods of uncertainty and accuracy assessment
Reporting uncertainty and accuracy
Uncertainty and accuracy assessment of DSM outputs
Exercise (Uncertainty and Accuracy assessment of DSM)

41. DSM
Contents
DSM of soil properties (1 week)
Mapping of continuous soil properties
Mapping of categorical soil properties
Exercise (DSM of soil properties)
Accuracy assessment of DSM outputs (1 week)
Meaning of accuracy and uncertainty
Methods of uncertainty and accuracy assessment
Reporting uncertainty and accuracy
Uncertainty and accuracy assessment of DSM outputs
Exercise (Uncertainty and Accuracy assessment of DSM)

42. DSM
Contents
DSM of soil properties (1 week)
Mapping of continuous soil properties
Mapping of categorical soil properties
Exercise (DSM of soil properties)
Accuracy assessment of DSM outputs (1 week)
Meaning of accuracy and uncertainty
Methods of uncertainty and accuracy assessment
Reporting uncertainty and accuracy
Uncertainty and accuracy assessment of DSM outputs
Exercise (Uncertainty and Accuracy assessment of DSM)

43. DSM
Contents
DSM of soil properties (1 week)
Mapping of continuous soil properties
Mapping of categorical soil properties
Exercise (DSM of soil properties)
Accuracy assessment of DSM outputs (1 week)
Meaning of accuracy and uncertainty
Methods of uncertainty and accuracy assessment
Reporting uncertainty and accuracy
Uncertainty and accuracy assessment of DSM outputs
Exercise (Uncertainty and Accuracy assessment of DSM)

44. DSM
Contents
DSM of soil properties (1 week)
Mapping of continuous soil properties
Mapping of categorical soil properties
Exercise (DSM of soil properties)
Accuracy assessment of DSM outputs (1 week)
Meaning of accuracy and uncertainty
Methods of uncertainty and accuracy assessment
Reporting uncertainty and accuracy
Uncertainty and accuracy assessment of DSM outputs
Exercise (Uncertainty and Accuracy assessment of DSM)

45. DSM
Contents
DSM of soil properties (1 week)
Mapping of continuous soil properties
Mapping of categorical soil properties
Exercise (DSM of soil properties)
Accuracy assessment of DSM outputs (1 week)
Meaning of accuracy and uncertainty
Methods of uncertainty and accuracy assessment
Reporting uncertainty and accuracy
Uncertainty and accuracy assessment of DSM outputs
Exercise (Uncertainty and Accuracy assessment of DSM)

46. DSM
Contents
DSM of soil properties (1 week)
Mapping of continuous soil properties
Mapping of categorical soil properties
Exercise (DSM of soil properties)
Accuracy assessment of DSM outputs (1 week)
Meaning of accuracy and uncertainty
Methods of uncertainty and accuracy assessment
Reporting uncertainty and accuracy
Uncertainty and accuracy assessment of DSM outputs
Exercise (Uncertainty and Accuracy assessment of DSM)

47. DSM
Contents
DSM of soil properties (1 week)
Mapping of continuous soil properties
Mapping of categorical soil properties
Exercise (DSM of soil properties)
Accuracy assessment of DSM outputs (1 week)
Meaning of accuracy and uncertainty
Methods of uncertainty and accuracy assessment
Reporting uncertainty and accuracy
Uncertainty and accuracy assessment of DSM outputs
Exercise (Uncertainty and Accuracy assessment of DSM)

48. DSM
Contents
DSM of soil properties (1 week)
Mapping of continuous soil properties
Mapping of categorical soil properties
Exercise (DSM of soil properties)
Accuracy assessment of DSM outputs (1 week)
Meaning of accuracy and uncertainty
Methods of uncertainty and accuracy assessment
Reporting uncertainty and accuracy
Uncertainty and accuracy assessment of DSM outputs
Exercise (Uncertainty and Accuracy assessment of DSM)

49. DSM
Contents
Documentation of DSM output (1/2 week)
Importance of documentation in DSM
Steps in documenting DSM outputs
Exercise (Documenting DSM output)
Methods for disseminating DSM outputs (1/2 week)
Need for dissemination
Dissemination approaches
Google-earth and online information service
Exercise (Dissemination of DSM outputs)

50. DSM
Contents
Documentation of DSM output (1/2 week)
Importance of documentation in DSM
Steps in documenting DSM outputs
Exercise (Documenting DSM output)
Methods for disseminating DSM outputs (1/2 week)
Need for dissemination
Dissemination approaches
Google-earth and online information service
Exercise (Dissemination of DSM outputs)

51. DSM
Contents
Documentation of DSM output (1/2 week)
Importance of documentation in DSM
Steps in documenting DSM outputs
Exercise (Documenting DSM output)
Methods for disseminating DSM outputs (1/2 week)
Need for dissemination
Dissemination approaches
Google-earth and online information service
Exercise (Dissemination of DSM outputs)

52. DSM
Contents
Documentation of DSM output (1/2 week)
Importance of documentation in DSM
Steps in documenting DSM outputs
Exercise (Documenting DSM output)
Methods for disseminating DSM outputs (1/2 week)
Need for dissemination
Dissemination approaches
Google-earth and online information service
Exercise (Dissemination of DSM outputs)

53. DSM
Contents
Documentation of DSM output (1/2 week)
Importance of documentation in DSM
Steps in documenting DSM outputs
Exercise (Documenting DSM output)
Methods for disseminating DSM outputs (1/2 week)
Need for dissemination
Dissemination approaches
Google-earth and online information service
Exercise (Dissemination of DSM outputs)

54. DSM
Contents
Documentation of DSM output (1/2 week)
Importance of documentation in DSM
Steps in documenting DSM outputs
Exercise (Documenting DSM output)
Methods for disseminating DSM outputs (1/2 week)
Need for dissemination
Dissemination approaches
Google-earth and online information service
Exercise (Dissemination of DSM outputs)

55. DSM
Contents
Documentation of DSM output (1/2 week)
Importance of documentation in DSM
Steps in documenting DSM outputs
Exercise (Documenting DSM output)
Methods for disseminating DSM outputs (1/2 week)
Need for dissemination
Dissemination approaches
Google-earth and online information service
Exercise (Dissemination of DSM outputs)

56. DSM
Contents
Documentation of DSM output (1/2 week)
Importance of documentation in DSM
Steps in documenting DSM outputs
Exercise (Documenting DSM output)
Methods for disseminating DSM outputs (1/2 week)
Need for dissemination
Dissemination approaches
Google-earth and online information service
Exercise (Dissemination of DSM outputs)

57. DSM
Contents
Documentation of DSM output (1/2 week)
Importance of documentation in DSM
Steps in documenting DSM outputs
Exercise (Documenting DSM output)
Methods for disseminating DSM outputs (1/2 week)
Need for dissemination
Dissemination approaches
Google-earth and online information service
Exercise (Dissemination of DSM outputs)