Geoinformatics & Geostatistics: An Overview

A primary problem in agro-environmental surveys at regional scale is the availability of accurate maps of soil properties; these provide policy makers with information at a scale at which protection measures are likely to be implemented and followed with efficient results. This work aimed to analyse the spatial variability and to predict the total organic carbon content of the soils in Friuli Venezia Giulia Region (Northern Italy). The dataset of soil samples was derived from the AGRIT 2011 survey of the Italian Ministry of Agricultural Food and Forestry Policies, covering the agricultural territory belonging to 81 municipalities in the Region (plain and hilly areas). Sampling points were previously selected on the basis of the soil use in the period 2008-2010. Point data included monocultures (maize, soybean, and wheat), 2-yr rotations (maize-soybean, maize-wheat, soybean- wheat), 3-yr rotations, vineyards, alfalfa, permanent fodder crops. The Regression Kriging (RK) technique was used for the estimation. The resulting map showed a decreasing trend with WNW-ESE direction, from the piedmont area towards the lower plains and the sea coast.