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PREFACE
 

CD4-version 2 „Pedo-ecological characterization of Estonian soils“
 
 
CD4-version 2 is the amended bi-lingual (Estonian/English) edition of the 4th part (CD4-ver.1) of the „Digital Collection of Estonian Soils“ (DCES) series, which deals with soils nomenclature and properties.
 
CD4 presents data about Estonian soils properties that originated mostly from the database PEDON (formed on the basis of R. Kõlli’s experimental research) and from the series “Soils of Estonian SSR in numbers”, which is the most voluminous and conspicuous database on the soils of Estonia. The series “Soils of Estonian SSR in numbers”, originates from the 1974-1989 soil survey, conducted by the Soil Survey Department of Estonian Agri-project. In addition, all available published works on Estonian soil properties, morphology and ecology were considered and used in the generalization of soil data. (The list is too numerous to include here). The information presented on CD4 is a generalization of Estonian soils characteristics and the interactions their properties.
 
The main aims of the CD4 are: (1) to provide a comprehensive comparative characterization of different soil groups (types, species), (2) to explain the interrelationships between different soil characteristics, (3) to showing compatibility and incompatibility of prepared soil and plant covers classifications for various purposes, and (4) to enable the evaluation of environment protective values of different soil types. The matrices created from data on soil ecology and properties reflect the generalized average of Estonian soils. It is, however, important to take into account that fairly large differences in soil properties may be observed that bear no relation to the peculiarities of local soil forming conditions.
 

Information on soil properties on the background of soil matrices is presented in different way: (i) by isolines, (ii) by means calculated in relation of a certain ordination network loop and (iii) by contours on an ordination network for demonstrating distribution of classification unit in relation to the ordination network. CD4 enables the researcher to obtain additional information about relationships of separate areas (loops) of the network with classifications, units, scalars, estimations etc.
 

CD4 is linked directly with CD1 and CD2 of DCES series, which may be used for better understanding of soil matrices construction (CD1) and in studying of soil morphology (CD2). CD1 “Characterization of Estonian soils matrixes” (Kõlli, 2002) describes the pedo-ecological background of three soil groups (normal and abnormal mineral, and organic). The soil matrices were created for systematized arrangement of soil types and for presentation of soil properties. CD1 gives an additional explanation about soil matrices and their scalars, as well as about the ecological conditions of their formation. CD2 “Estonian soils in matrix tables” ver.1 (Kõlli and Ellermäe, 2003) and ver.2 (Kõlli, Ellermäe and Tamm, 2009) deals with morphology and diagnostic properties. The peculiarities of soil fabric are explained by mean of profiles, figures and photographs.
 

CD3, CD5 and CD6 of the DCES series are indirectly connected with CD4 and may be used as additional source in studying soil type properties. CD3 “Matrix of Estonian forest soils’ epipedons” (Kõlli, 2003) describes epipedons’ (humus covers) fabric and their formation conditions on undisturbed soils. CD3 provides a better understanding of the peculiarities of organic matter sequestration into soil cover on natural areas. CD5, “Collection of soil monoliths of the Department of Soil Science and Agrochemistry (DSSA) of EMÜ (Estonian University of Life Sciences)” (Kõlli, Ellermäe, 2007) is useful in converting Estonian soil names into internationally recognized classification systems. CD6 “Estonian soils properties on graphs: arable soils, forest soils, and soils of counties” (Kõlli, Teras, 2007) present generalized data about morphology and chemical properties (mean profile models) of Estonian soils.

 

Any suggestions on improving the CD4-ver.2 (presentation or quality of content and errors) will be gratefully received at raimo.kolli@emu.ee and used in compiling later editions.
 

Funding for the edition of CD4 was provided by the Estonian Scientific Foundation (grant No 4991) and the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research (Project No. 0172613AGML03). The updated bi-lingual version of CD4 (CD4-ver.2-Estonian/English) was supported by the governmental program “Collections of humanities and natural sciences” given to the DSSA of EMÜ.
 

R. Kõlli
 
 
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