Spectroscopic solutions for generating new global soil information

Authors: PENG, YI - Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO); BEN-DOR, EYAL - Tel Aviv University; BISWAS, ASIM - University Of Guelph; CHABRILLAT, SABINE - Potsdam Institute; DEMATT, JOSE - Universidad De Sao Paulo; GE, YUFENG - University Of Nebraska; GHOLIZADEH, ASA - Czech University Of Life Sciences Prague; GOMEZ, CECILE - University Of Montpellier; GUERRERO, CESAR - Miguel Hernandez University; Herrick, Jeffrey; Maynard, Jonathan; MOUNEM MOUAZEN, ABDUL - Ghent University; MA, YUXIN - Landcare Research; MCBRATNEY, ALEX - University Of Sydney; MINASNY, BUDIMAN - University Of Sydney; RAMIREZ-LOPEZ, LEONARDO - Buchi Laboratories; ROBERTSON, AH JEAN - The James Hutton Institute; VISCARRA ROSSEL, RAPHAEL - Curtin University; SHI, ZHOU - Zhejiang University; STENBERG, BO - Swedish University Of Agricultural Sciences; C. WADOUX, ALEXANDRE - University Of Montpellier; WINOWIECKI, LEIGH - International Centre For Research In Agroforestry (ICRAF); ZHANG, GANLIN - University Of Chinese Academy Of Sciences

Submitted to: Material Research Innovations
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/11/2025
Publication Date: 2/13/2025
Citation: Peng, Y., Ben-Dor, E., Biswas, A., Chabrillat, S., Dematt, J., Ge, Y., Gholizadeh, A., Gomez, C., Guerrero, C., Herrick, J.E., Maynard, J.J., Mounem Mouazen, A., Ma, Y., McBratney, A., Minasny, B., Ramirez-Lopez, L., Robertson, A., Viscarra Rossel, R.A., Shi, Z., Stenberg, B., C. Wadoux, A.M., Winowiecki, L.A., Zhang, G. 2025. Spectroscopic solutions for generating new global soil data and information efficiently. Material Research Innovations. e100839. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xinn.2025.100839.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xinn.2025.100839

Interpretive Summary: Soil spectroscopy is a powerful tool. It is now widely used by academics, but uptake by soil laboratories serving farmers and other practitioners has been limited. This paper explores the benefits, opportunities and challenges to the more widespread adoption and use of soil spectroscopy. Soil spectroscopy tools have significantly evolved, transitioning from expensive lab-based instruments to low-cost mobile spectrometers and DIY sensors. This shift has made soil analysis more affordable and accessible. However, validating the accuracy and long-term stability of these instruments requires calibration algorithms and significant soil science knowledge and expertise. Collaboration between land managers, soil scientists, engineers, spectrometer researchers, and developers is crucial to enhance the robustness and development of these tools. Additionally, combining spectroscopy with other sensors, such as those measuring soil pH, can offer a more comprehensive analysis of soil properties. This multi-sensor approach improves soil management by providing accurate and detailed information about soil condition.

Technical Abstract: While global efforts to operationalise soil spectroscopy are progressing, cooperation is needed to fully its potential for generating digital soil information to support sustainable soil management worldwide. The Global Soil Laboratory Network's soil spectroscopy initiative (GLOSOLAN-Spec), led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) through its Global Soil Partnership (GSP), is dedicated to the further development and adoption of soil spectroscopy by fostering international collaboration via a scientific community of practice to produce accurate and reliable soil information for sustainable soil management and decision-making. To support this effort, we, a global consortium of soil scientists under the auspices of the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) and GLOSOLAN-Spec, aim to address seven key challenges hindering the adoption of soil spectroscopy worldwide. Here, we offer perspectives on what is needed to advance soil spectroscopy as a routine soil analysis method, emphasising its potential to generate new and reliable spatial and temporal soil data.