Linking Soil, Vegetation and Hydrology at Lincoln University's Living Lab: III. Mapping Soil pH and Electrical Conductivity.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Global positioning system (GPS) were used in the assessment of the spatial distribution of soil pH and Electrical conductivity (EC) at Lincoln University Living Laboratory. The Laboratory was mapped and the coordinates of every sampling location recorded using Geo-Explorer 3 pathfinder GPS. Soil samples were collected and analyzed for pH and EC. GPS recorded data and the results of soil analysis were transferred to ARCGIS 8.3. where maps of EC and pH were produced. Results showed that soil pH varied from 5.00 to 8.00 and EC from 100.00 to 500.00 mmho. Interpolated maps (by Inverse Distance Weighing method) showed distinctive patterns of EC and pH across the Living Lab. Using GIS and GPS were very useful in analyzing the distribution of these two soil chemical properties.

* Rivers, J. and N.V. Nkongolo. Center of Excellence GIS & Remote Sensing, Department of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Lincoln University.