Leicestershire, UK, 16 March 2016 – Aerial mapping company Bluesky and Cranfield University have launched an online map showing soil types acrossEngland and Wales. The National Soil Map has been created from soil datasets produced by Cranfield University and is designed to inform decision making in a wide range of applications, from land and infrastructure management to construction, habitat assessment and agriculture. It is a perfect complement to data layers already available from www.blueskymapshop.com, including Bluesky’s National Tree Map and 3D height datasets.
Working with environmental data scientists at Cranfield University’s Soil and Agrifood Institute (CSAI), Bluesky can now provide the unique map that combines Cranfield’s award winning NATMAPvector soil dataset, which lists almost 300 soil associations, with the more simplified Soilscapes product.
“If you want to better manage your land, buildings, infrastructure or environment, understanding the soil is a great place to start. Soil is a fundamental building block for our ecosystem, and provides key support for, and threats to, our infrastructure and buildings,” commented Dr Timothy Farewell, Senior Research Fellow at the Cranfield Soil and Agrifood Institute. “The source data for the Bluesky version of the National Soil Map is the result of more than sixty years of soil survey work and took over 200 man years to create. Our soil data is already in use by most major water companies, many consultants and government bodies.”
“This is the first time a dataset of this nature and complexity has been available to view and purchase online, and we are delighted to be working with Cranfield to ensure its wider application across a range of sectors,” added Rachel Tidmarsh, Managing Director of Bluesky.
The Bluesky National Soil Map is created from two distinct soil datasets produced by Cranfield University; NATMAPvector and Soilscapes. NATMAP Vector is the flagship soil data product from the CSAI. It is a 1:250,000 scale map of England and Wales, showing the locations of the 297 distinct soil associations wherever they occur within the countries. Soilscapes is a 1:250,000 scale, simplified soils dataset covering England and Wales. It was created with the purpose of effectively communicating a general understanding of the variations which occur between soil types, and how soils affect the environment.
The National Soil Map is now available from the Bluesky Mapshop (www.blueskymapshop.com), which already offers complete nationwide coverage of aerial photography, 3D models (Digital Terrain and Surface Models DTM / DSM), LiDAR data, Thermal Mapping and the National Tree Map.
About Bluesky
Bluesky is a specialist in aerial survey including aerial photography, LiDAR and thermal data using the very latest survey technology, including two UltraCam Eagles and an Orion M300 LiDAR system. An internationally recognised leader with projects extending around the globe, Bluesky is proud to work with prestigious organisations such as Google, the BBC and Government Agencies. Bluesky has unrivalled expertise in the creation of seamless, digital aerial photography and maintains national “off the shelf” coverage of aerial photography, DTM and DSM through an on-going three-year update programme. By purchasing a world first sensor for the simultaneous capture of LiDAR, Thermal and Aerial Photography data, Bluesky is in the enviable position of being able to provide customers with unique and cost effective solutions. Bluesky is leading the way in developing innovative solutions for environmental applications, including the UK’s first National Tree Map (NTM), solar mapping and citywide ‘heat loss’ maps and is currently developing noise and air quality mapping products. www.bluesky-world.com