Soil observations

More information about the soil at a particular location is often obtained through observations. There are two types of observations: single and multiple observations. In the first case, one parameter corresponds to one measurement value; in the second case with multiple measuring points and values. A single or multiple observation is always linked to one soil site, one depth interval, one soil site or one soil sample. A soil site, soil site, depth interval or soil sample may have 0 or more observations. There are three different types of single observations: a distinction is made between observations of a numerical value (these are measurements), observations with a free text value (these are observations) and observations categorised via a drop-down list (these are encoded observations). Each of these simple observations is characterised by one parameter and one measurement value (either numeric, free text or an item from a drop-down list). Multiple observations are series of measurements — in this case, one parameter is described by multiple numerical values. Observations linked to an in-depth interval or soil sample shall always apply to the full depth of this depth interval or sample. Observations linked to a soil site or site may have 0, one or two depths for observations independent of depth, observations at a certain depth or at a given interval. Observations can optionally be linked to an observation method, which describes the method by which the value was determined, for example by referring to the procedure or norm that was followed.