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World Soil Survey Archive and Catalogue (British-sourced materials) wossac

WOSSAC is a valuable archive of soil surveys providing essential data for various environmental issues worldwide. Explore the extensive collection of reports, maps, and satellite images dating back to 1925, now accessible online at www.wossac.com.

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World Soil Survey Archive and Catalogue (British-sourced materials) wossac

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  1. World Soil SurveyArchive and Catalogue(British-sourced materials)www.wossac.com Launch WOSSAC Dr Stephen Hallett Professor Peter Bullock Dr Ian Baillie Dr James Hunt

  2. Background • Substantial numbers of soil surveys were made worldwide by British companies over the past 80 years, and 250 countries represented • Funded by development assistance donors & government departments • Estimated to be many thousands of survey volumes • At today’s prices would have cost well over £200 million • Soil surveys not likely to be repeated • Extremely valuable bank of international data about soils, their nature, properties and potential use • Current volumes may represent only existing information about the soils in many of the countries of the world • Materials in danger of beingdestroyed and lost

  3. Applications • WOSSAC will play a role in a range of contemporary environmental issues • UN Millennium Development Goals • regional appraisal • disaster relief and aid planning • soil management • optimal land use suitability and food security • combating desertification • water use planning • identifying runoff • infiltration and water storage zones • waste management

  4. British Society of Soil Science (BS3) funded 2 pilot projects at Cranfield, backing University investment Project commenced January 2004 Recruited dedicatedstaff as well as bodyof existing volunteerand paid workers

  5. HTSPE Ltd. • Major development is theinclusion of HTSPE Collection • 5,000 Reports and associated maps • 2,000 Individual maps • Extensive Map albums • 7,000 Satellite Images • Extensive GIS datasets

  6. Existing Holdings Soil Survey Land Use Natural Resource Topographical Socio-economic Maps Surveys Reports Books

  7. Work Programme • On-line holdings catalogue published • Physical archive established of materials needing preservation; these being made available for consultation • Interfacing with regional and national databases to create a global network • Linking with stakeholders and users

  8. Archive holdings 8,000 items now catalogued 12,000 itemsawaiting cataloguing Representing itemsfrom 1925 to-date 250 countries

  9. Archive Web Access Archive items now recorded in central catalogue database made available on web Key dissemination www.wossac.com Journal articles Mailshots Word of mouth

  10. Internet mapping tool

  11. The Future • Secure this precious collection of maps and reports • Many other UK sources yet to contact • Establish means to access and disseminate information in collection • Undertake research to improve ability to access and apply collection remotely • Establish linkages to other major holders of similar information, establishing a truly global catalogue of information

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