Soil quality assessment using SAS (Soil Assessment System)

• Published in: Soil and water research Vol. 18; no. 1; pp. 1 - 15
• Main Authors: Toth, Daniel, Janků, Jaroslava, Marhoul, Adéla Marie, Kozák, Josef, Maitah, Mansoor, Jehlička, Jan, Řeháček, Lukáš, Přikryl, Richard, Herza, Tomáš, Vopravil, Jan, Kincl, David, Khel, Tomáš
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences 01.02.2023
• Subjects: saaty method; sas - soil assessment system; soil ecosystem services; soil protection; soil quality indicators; soil quality scoring
• ISSN: 1801-5395; 1805-9384
• DOI: 10.17221/141/2022-SWR

The paper proposes a new soil evaluation system using the principle of the Saaty method. The Saaty method has been modified and named Soil Assessment System (SAS). Significance weights are assigned to individual soil characteristics (indicators). This provides a more detailed differentiation of the significance of the indicator on soil quality and a more accurate assessment, especially in marginal cases where the assessment by the methods used so far has not been fully conclusive. In addition to physico-chemical properties, other criteria are taken into account to assess not only productional but also non-productional functions. The possibility of using indicators referring to a broader context (e.g., soil sealing value) is also important, thus enabling a comprehensive assessment of the quality of the land. This results in points for individual sampling locations. Soils are categorized according to the number of points and results are shown on maps.