Chemical properties and Vis-NIR spectral data of humus layer samples from forest site Zellwald in Saxony

The data set consists of 110 samples and contains chemical properties important for humus assessment (pH value, cation exchange capacity, base saturation, C/N ratio) as well as spectral absorbance data in the visual and near-infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum of forest soil samples from the forest site Zellwald in Saxony. Sample acquisition took place in 2019.
Data collection was performed using a satellite sampling scheme with eight satellites per point. The data set contains samples from both Oh-horizon and 0-5 cm depth. Samples were dried at 40° (0-5 cm) and 60 °(Oh). The dry samples were sieved with a 2 mm mesh to homogenize the material. All chemical analysis was performed by the laboratory of Sachsenforst public enterprise, following standards of forest soil chemical analysis.
Spectral data was obtained from 2019 - 2020 using Veris vis-NIR Spectrophotometer by Veris Technologies (spectral resolution: 6 nm),
To capture the samples variability, 10 measures were taken, rotating the samples after every measurement. Then, the mean of the single measures was formed. The data was used to predict humus properties for forest soil mapping and monitoring by vis-NIR spectroscopy.