Digital soil maps of Burundi available
In June, the Institute of Agricultural Sciences of Burundi (ISABU) officially presented the digital soil map of Burundi.
A team of researchers has worked for more than a year at producing this GIS-format soil map of Burundi. This work is the result of collaboration between the Institute of Agricultural Sciences of Burundi (ISABU), the Geographic Institute of Burundi (IGEBU), the Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA, Belgium), the University of Ghent (Belgium) and BTC through its Institutional and operational support programme for the agricultural sector (PAIOSA) in Burundi.
http://www.btcctb.org/en/news/digital-soil-maps-burundi-available
A tool to share and capitalise upon
A paper map is static. Now, thanks to digital technology, maps have become dynamic. Digital maps are easy to work with and can be used to provide new thematic overviews: soil fertility maps, soil capability maps, erosion and landslide risk maps, land use maps, wetlands inventory maps... Databases can be easily enriched and provide users with a product that combines scientific rigour and practical use.
An easy tool to use
It has now become easy to distinguish between different types of soils even for someone who has not been trained in soil science. It has also become easier to interpret data. Soil maps can be used by agricultural or municipal services for managing and planning land uses (wetlands, protection against soil erosion, watershed management...).
A tool that can be capitalised upon internationally
With digitalisation, it becomes possible to evolve from national classification to international classification, which means that the map can be used by various international actors to contribute to agricultural development.
Valerie Claes
To use the map, please contact: Institut des Sciences Agronomiques du Burundi (ISABU), Direction des services d'appui à la recherche.
av. de la Cathédrale, BP 795, Bujumbura, Burundi