Articles | Volume 18, issue 6
https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-18-4451-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-18-4451-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Data description article
| 
30 Jun 2026
Data description article |
| 30 Jun 2026
| 30 Jun 2026
High-resolution, multi-depth mapping of soil bulk density and pH in China's forests using machine learning
Jizhen Chen
Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Environment of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China
Hubei Zigui Three Gorges Reservoir Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Zigui 443600, China
Xin Zhang
Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Environment of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China
Hubei Zigui Three Gorges Reservoir Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Zigui 443600, China
Zihao Fan
Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Environment of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China
Hubei Zigui Three Gorges Reservoir Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Zigui 443600, China
Tao Liu
Department of Earth System Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Earth System Modeling, Institute for Global Change Studies, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Wenfa Xiao
Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Environment of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China
Hubei Zigui Three Gorges Reservoir Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Zigui 443600, China
Qiwu Sun
Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China
Xiangyang Sun
College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
Zhilin Huang
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Environment of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China
Hubei Zigui Three Gorges Reservoir Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Zigui 443600, China
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Short summary
Forest soil compactness and acidity are closely linked to carbon storage, nutrient cycling, and environmental change. We combined 4356 forest soil profiles and 11 873 samples with environmental data and computer models to map these properties to one meter deep across China's forests. The maps reveal clear regional and depth patterns and include confidence estimates, providing a national baseline for tracking soil health, improving carbon estimates, and guiding forest management.
Forest soil compactness and acidity are closely linked to carbon storage, nutrient cycling, and...
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