An Open Science Approach to Soil Carbon Mapping.

The Regional Approaches to Climate Change for Pacific Northwest Agriculture (REACCH PNA) project is a five-year USDA NIFA-funded interdisciplinary project examining the sustainability of cereal crop production systems in the Pacific Northwest in relation to potential climate change. Soil carbon is a variable of interest in the REACCH context, being closely associated with soil organic matter and proxy for soil properties related to soil health for agriculture. As a foundation for studying and monitoring carbon dynamics in the REACCH region (primarily Washington with areas in Idaho and Oregon), we aim to develop a high resolution soil carbon map of the area. Following Gessler et al. 1995 and 2000, we collated topography data with soil samples from NCSS, institutional sources, and REACCH researchers to develop a gridded map of soil carbon levels within our study area. One challenge of synthesizing data from disparate sources into a coherent whole is heterogeneity—differences in data obtained by researchers whose methods of collection, recording, and storage vary. The field of “big data” analysis—the study of data that are complex in volume, variety, velocity, or veracity—offers solutions. In treating the variety of our source data, we have applied principles of data science to develop a framework that supports downloading data, integrating them into a common format, and producing intermediate data products for analysis. Our modular architecture enables us to change elements of the analysis easily. For example, the statistical model in the analytical core can be swapped out if a different model is preferred. In order to support reproducibility of results and re-usability of program code, we make available our source data, code, and products under an open-source license. This “open science” approach demonstrates ways to use modern IT infrastructure to our advantage in research collaboration. Funded through award #2011-68002-30191 from USDA NIFA.