1. Launch
WOSSAC
World Soil Survey Archive and Catalogue (British-sourced materials)
Dr Stephen Hallett Professor Peter Bullock
Dr Ian Baillie Dr James Hunt

2. Background
Substantial numbers of soil surveys were made worldwide by British companies over the past 80 years, and 250 countries represented
Funded by development assistance donors & government departments
Estimated to be many thousands of survey volumes
At today’s prices would have cost well over £200 million
Soil surveys not likely to be repeated
Extremely valuable bank of international data about soils, their nature, properties and potential use
Current volumes may represent only existing information about the soils in many of the countries of the world
Materials in danger of being destroyed and lost

3. Applications
WOSSAC will play a role in a range of contemporary environmental issues
UN Millennium Development Goals
regional appraisal
disaster relief and aid planning
soil management
optimal land use suitability and food security
combating desertification
water use planning
identifying runoff
infiltration and water storage zones
waste management

4. British Society of Soil Science (BS3) funded 2 pilot projects at Cranfield, backing University investment
Project commenced January 2004
Recruited dedicated staff as well as body of existing volunteer and paid workers

5. HTSPE Ltd. Major development is the inclusion of HTSPE Collection
5,000 Reports and associated maps
2,000 Individual maps
Extensive Map albums
7,000 Satellite Images
Extensive GIS datasets

6. Existing Holdings Soil Survey Maps Land Use Surveys Natural Resource
Topographical
Socio-economic
Maps
Surveys
Reports
Books

7. Work Programme On-line holdings catalogue published
Physical archive established of materials needing preservation; these being made available for consultation
Interfacing with regional and national databases to create a global network
Linking with stakeholders and users

8. Archive holdings 8,000 items now catalogued
12,000 items awaiting cataloguing
Representing items from
1925 to-date
250 countries

9. Archive Web Access Archive items now recorded
in central catalogue database
made available on web
Key dissemination
Journal articles
Mailshots
Word of mouth

10. Internet mapping tool

11. The Future Secure this precious collection of maps and reports
Many other UK sources yet to contact
Establish means to access and disseminate information in collection
Undertake research to improve ability to access and apply collection remotely
Establish linkages to other major holders of similar information, establishing a truly global catalogue of information