Soil Database of Botswana (BSD)

Organisation

MOA CP&F/ Soil Survey

Responsibilities

• Systematic mapping of soils at various scales

• Runs a fully computerised database

• Provides soils advisory sevices to the extension staff and the farming community on an ad hoc basis.

Source

Software

Dbase III +

Development stage

With financial support from UNDP and the Netherlands Government and technical assistance from FAO the Soil Survey Section made the commitment to a programme of systematic reconnaisence soil survey in 1981. This led to the existence of a large body of information in soil resources. The computerised database was developed as a lasting resource to provide easier handling of data , and easier storage facility. The programme facilitates entering storage  editing and selection/printing of specific information on soils and landscape. Data is entered in coded format and issued out in descriptive format.

Who assisted

The database was developed under the then FAO project " Soil mapping and advisory services project Bot/85/011"

For how long

1988-1990

Period covered

1979

Established

1988

Variables

• Site data

• Horizon data (layer of soils)

• Chemical data

• Physical data

Description

• Site data

• Location of site, context within surrounding landscape, geology, hydrology and surface characteristics.

• Horizon data

• Texture, structure, color, carbonates, roots consistency.

• Chemical data

• CEC, PBS, PH particle size, phosphorus, carbon etc.

• Physical data

• Infiltration and stability

Source of information

Field survey and laborastory analysis.

Used by

• Ministry of Agriculture

• Ministry of Local Govt. Lands and Housing.

• Dept. of Roads

• Dept. of Wildlife and National Parks

• Dept of Water Affairs

• Academic institutions

• Consultants

• International Agencies

Data needs

Usage

Data delivery

Processing

0

Accessible

Contact Details

First name

Josephine

Surname

Maembolawa

Postal address

Private Bag 003 Gaborone

E-mail

irr.fao@info.bw

Telephone

350522

Fax

307057

Educ background

Soil science

DB Manager

Josephine Maembolawa