Soil Site Reporter

Interpretations of the National Soil Map of England and Wales

NATMAP Topsoil Texture

Topsoil Texture Map
NATMAPtopsoiltexture dataset shown for Anglesey

NATMAPtopsoiltexture is a new product derived from the National Soil Map. It provides users with a useful, concise, easily interpreted and applicable description of the range of texture classes typical across England and Wales.

Key Facts and Statistics about NATMAPtopsoiltexture
Who and what is this useful for?

NATMAPtopsoiltexture is useful for anyone wanting generalised and simple-to-understand information of the topsoil soil texture at a 1:250,000 scale. The topsoil texture dataset allows the user to explore the likely spatial variation of the dominant and subdominant texture classes across England and Wales. This variation can be used as input into environmental models which are influenced by the textural composition of the soil matrix. As this is a simplified dataset, it may or may not represent the soil texture at any given location.

How was this map derived?

For each soil series represented on the National Soil Map the topsoil texture class was determined from the particle size distribution and organic carbon data held in the HORIZONfundamentals dataset. This data was then compared to the definition of each soil series given in TM17 "Criteria for differentiating soil series" as the topsoil texture is a defining characteristic of soil series. Where differences between the defined topsoil texture and the calculated class arose these were examined by a soil expert and where necessary the calculated classes were altered to better reflect the known properties of the soil series. Once each soil series was assigned to a topsoil texture class the proportions of each soil series within the soil associations represented on the National Soil map was used to determine the dominant soil texture and the proportions of each texture class.


How much does this product cost?

For detailed pricing information, use our Quotation Advisor utility.

NATMAP topsoil texture data and description

Soil Texture Triangle showing legend colours

Texture Triangle showing legend colours

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

Property Example from data Description
TEXTURE silty clay loam The dominant Texture Class in the polygon
C 0 Percentage of the polygon under clay
CL 35 Percentage of the polygon under clay loam
ZC 0 Percentage of the polygon under silty clay
ZCL 50 Percentage of the polygon under silty clay loam
SCL 0 Percentage of the polygon under sandy clay loam
CSL 0 Percentage of the polygon under coarse sandy loam
MSZL 0 Percentage of the polygon under medium sandy silt loam.
CSZL 0 Percentage of the polygon under coarse sandy silt loam
ZL 0 Percentage of the polygon under silt loam
SCL 0 Percentage of the polygon under sandy clay loam
FSL 0 Percentage of the polygon under fine sandy loam
MSL 0 Percentage of the polygon under medium sandy loam
FSZL 0 Percentage of the polygon under fine sandy silt loam
LFS 0 Percentage of the polygon under loamy fine sand
LMS 0 Percentage of the polygon under loamy medium sand
LCS 0 Percentage of the polygon under loamy coarse sand
FS 10 Percentage of the polygon under fine sand
MS 10 Percentage of the polygon under medium sand
LP 0 Percentage of the polygon under loamy peat
PL 0 Percentage of the polygon under peaty loam
PS 0 Percentage of the polygon under peaty sand
P 0 Percentage of the polygon under peat
SHAPE 2 Feature ID code which links with the spatial description of the data within a geodatabase

Find out nore about soil texture.




About Us

LandIS, or the Land Information System is one of the offerings of the Soil and Agrifood Institute. Incorporating the National Soil Resources Institute, Cranfield Environment Centre (CEC) is the largest UK national and international centre for research and development, consultancy and training in soils and their interaction with the atmosphere, land use, geology and water resources.

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