Information on NSI data products

National Soil Inventory (NSI) data is a set of point data. NSI data covers England and Wales on a 5 km grid and provides detailed information for each intersect of the grid. Collectively NSI data are statistically representative of England and Wales soils and they offer a valuable foundation for future monitoring of soil quality. The original sampling was from around 1980 and there have been partial resamplings in the mid-1990s.

NSI site includes erosion, landuse and lithological information. NSI profile gives a very detailed soil description including stone abundance, root descriptions and boundary information. NSI topsoil gives detailed measurements of over 20 elements from the soils, in addition to pH. NSI textures describes the soil texture. NSI features provides depth data to various layers and includes a flood risk indicator.

This page outlines the data contained within the following products.

• NSI site
• NSI profile
• NSI topsoil (1983 values)
• NSI topsoil (1995 values)
• NSI textures
• NSI features

The NSI dataset is a unique collection of a vast range of detailed information. Based on a systematic grid, spaced at 5km intervals, the NSI data can be used in geostatisticical methods as well as a more general information source. Recent studies have included the use of this data in sophisticated erosion modelling. This data is essential for those trying to build up a detailed picture, for example, of chemical trends across England and Wales.

NSI site

The National Soil Inventory (NSI) site data is a spatial, point dataset with 6127 points, located in a 5km grid across England and Wales.

NSI site provides a in depth description of the general land features at each of the NSI points across England and Wales.

NSI site contains data on the land use, slope, slope form, influence of man on the landscape, rock outcrops, the altitude, aspect, erosion and deposition features and a description of the rock type. As such, NSI site gives a comprehensive description of the sites in which these inventory points were taken.

NSI site has proved useful for those who would like to have a good picture of the landscape across these two countries, for instance in a project examining the link between erosional features and the amount of Carbon in the upper 15cm of soil.

• £600 for each individual property across England and Wales;
• £10 per point, all data for that point (discounted for more than 50 points);
• £3,500 for the whole dataset

The table below describes the various properties within this data product. Each point contains the information outlined below.

NSI profile

The National Soil Inventory (NSI) profile data is a spatial, point dataset with 6,127 points, located in a 5km grid across England and Wales.

NSI profile provides a very detailed description of the soil profile at the NSI point. From the texture of the soil to the mottle size and colour, many observations are recorded within this fundamental dataset.

Because of the detail of this survey, it is easy to get a good understanding of the soils at the NSI points. Combining this data with chemical NSI data from the NSI topsoil datasets may reveal otherwise hidden trends in the soils of England and Wales.

The fields in the data table, shown below, are repeated for each horizon, or layer, in the soil. This is particularly useful as it allows for easy comparison of the layers as you move down the profile. NSI profile is in essence, a detailed profile description.

£15 per point, all data for that point (discounted for more than 50 points);

£6,250 for the whole dataset.

The table below describes the various properties within this data product. Each point contains the information outlined below.

NSI topsoil (1983 values)

The National Soil Inventory (NSI) topsoil data is a spatial, point dataset with 6127 points, located in a 5km grid across England and Wales.

NSI topsoil contains a comprehensive record of many of the important elemental abundances in the soils of the UK. See below for a complete list.

This dataset can be used to highlight areas of element abundance, and the links between these and some soil properties. It also provides a pH reading of the soil at that point, which can be used to plot the areas more suitable for the growth of acidic soil loving plants.

Amongst other projects, NSI topsoil data has been used as the bassi of soil quality indicators employed by DETR/EPSIM, the Environment Agency, the Countryside Agency and certain local authorities.

£1,200 for each individual property across England and Wales;

£30 per point, all data for that point (discounted for more than 50 points);

£12,300 for the whole dataset.

The table below describes the various properties within this data product. Each point contains the information outlined below.

NSI topsoil (1995 values)

The National Soil Inventory (NSI) topsoil data is a spatial, point dataset with 6,127 points, located in a 5km grid across England and Wales. These measurements were taken in the mid-1990's.

NSI topsoil contains a comprehensive record of many of the important elemental abundances in the soils of the UK. See below for a complete list.

This dataset can be used to highlight areas of element abundance, and the links between these and some soil properties. It also provides a pH reading of the soil at that point, which can be used to plot the areas more suitable for the growth of acidic soil loving plants.

Amongst other projects, NSI topsoil data has been used to set the standards outlined in the DEFRA Sludge to Land report.

Price available upon request - no-standard product

The table above, in NSI topsoil (1983 values) describes the various properties within this data product. Each point contains the information outlined.

NSI textures

The National Soil Inventory (NSI) textures data is a spatial, point dataset with 6,127 points, located in a 5km grid across England and Wales.

NSI textures provides a very detailed description of the texture of the topsoil. This data, taken from laboratory analysis of the samples from the sites, breaks the topsoil down to its constituent grainsize fraction and provides the percentage of that soil which is of that fraction.

NSI textures can be used to identify areas of topsoil heavily influenced by the presence of clay, silt or sand. This data set will be useful for those investigating the pattern of soil textures across England and Wales, for instance in the relationship between soil and underlying lithology.

£900 for each individual property across England and Wales;

£15 per point, all data for that point (discounted for more than 50 points);

£6,250 for the whole dataset.

The table below describes the various properties within this data product. Each point contains the information outlined below.

NSI features

The National Soil Inventory (NSI) features data is a spatial, point dataset with 6,127 points, located in a 5km grid across England and Wales.

NSI features derives many parameters beneficial for modelling soils. These parameters, derived from readings and measurements taken at the NSI site include the depth from the surface to various layers, as well as providing information on the amount of risk that is posed to this soil by erosion and flooding. This dataset will prove important for those wanting a good understanding of the depths of the various layers in the soil profile, and those interested in mapping risks.

NSI features was used in the creation of the ADAS/DEFRA Agricultural Land Classification (A.L.C.).

• £1,000 for each individual property across England and Wales;
• £24 per point, all data for that point (discounted for more than 50 points);
• £9,550 for the whole dataset.

The table below describes the various properties within this data product. Each point contains the information outlined below.