Earlier this week, Teagasc and the EPA launched the new National Soil Map of Ireland. This completes the soil survey started decades ago by An Fóras Talúntais, but is a much more powerful tool, available free on the web for all to see and use.

The project which completed the soil map is referred to as the Irish Soil Information System (ISIS) and it involves a combination of high-end digital and GIS (global information systems) technologies, in combination with the basic soil survey methodology used 50 years ago.

Predictive maps were used and these were checked on the ground through a combination of soil profiles and cores, a process that is known as ground-truthing.

At the launch, Minister Brendan Howlin commented that the ISIS name is somewhat unfortunate, given the developments in the Middle East in recent months. However, he applauded all those involved in the project for its timely delivery of the end product and for doing it within budget.

Teagasc’s Frank O’Mara said that the project, which cost €4.8m, would have cost an estimated €40m if it had to be completed in the same way as the original soil map surveys. The bulk of the funding was provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The completed map now includes some 213 soil types and represents a new chapter for soil/land management potential in this country.

Teagasc director Gerry Boyle described the completion of this project as being equivalent to “the initial sequencing of Ireland’s soil genome”.

The complex information in the new interactive soil map will be put to many different uses. It will be used for the establishment of the new ANCs (Areas of Natural Constraint), which will replace the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (DAS) in the years ahead.

Another potential use would be the focusing of fertilizer advice and recommendations for individual soil types.

Teagasc are also developing “attribute maps”, which will display production capacity.