National Soil Dataset of Scotland: Field Measurements and Spatial Covariates (2022–2024)

This dataset comprises field and laboratory measurements from 250 soil samples collected across Scotland between 2022 and 2024 (Lab analysis), alongside a comprehensive set of spatial covariates (Covariates). The laboratory analyses include key soil properties such as loss on ignition (LOI), pH, and bulk density, with additional parameters recorded for selected samples. These data represent a diverse range of Scottish soil types and landscapes.

To support predictive soil mapping, the dataset also integrates ~21 environmental and geospatial covariates derived from national-scale raster datasets. These include topographic attributes (elevation, slope, wetness index), climatic variables (rainfall and temperature), geology and soil type indicators, and remote sensing indices (e.g. Sentinel-2 reflectance bands and vegetation indices). Together, these layers cover the entire spatial domain of Scotland and are aligned at consistent resolution and projection.

The dataset is designed for predictive modelling of soil properties, enabling the development of high-resolution digital soil maps across Scotland. It provides both raw measurements (lab results) and derived predictors (encoded covariates), supporting applications in soil science, environmental monitoring, and land management. The dataset will be made available after publication of associated research outputs.