Inference is a process of deriving logical conclusion from the basis of
empirical evidence
Empirical evidence for a proposition is evidence, i.e. what supports or counters this proposition, that is constituted by or accessible to sense experience or experimental procedure. Empirical evidence is of central importance to the sciences ...
and prior knowledge rather than on the basis of direct observation. Soil inference system (SINFERS) is the term proposed by McBratney et al. (2002) as a knowledge base to infer soil properties and populate the digital soil databases. SINFERS takes measurements with a given level of certainty and infers data that is not known with minimal uncertainties by means of logically linked predictive functions. These predictive functions, in a non-spatial context are referred to as
pedotransfer function In soil science, pedotransfer functions (PTF) are predictive functions of certain soil properties using data from soil surveys.
The term ''pedotransfer function'' was coined by Johan Bouma as ''translating data we have into what we need''. The mo ...
s. The basic assumption underlying SINFERS is that if one knows or is able to predict the basic fundamental properties of a soil, one should be able to infer all other physical and chemical properties using PTFs. Pedotransfer functions relate basic soil properties to other more difficult or expensive to measure soil properties by means of regression and various
data mining tools.
Crucial to the operation of SINFERS are reliable inputs, the ability to link basic soil information, and the quantification of
uncertainty
Uncertainty refers to epistemic situations involving imperfect or unknown information. It applies to predictions of future events, to physical measurements that are already made, or to the unknown. Uncertainty arises in partially observable ...
.
Current status
During 2007–2009, Grant Tranter of the
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney (USYD), also known as Sydney University, or informally Sydney Uni, is a public research university located in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and is one of the country's ...
, Australia in collaboration with Jason Morris of
Morris Technical Solutions, US, completed a working prototype of SINFERS. This implementation of the SINFERS concept uses
Jess to pattern match object representations of subsets of soil properties in working memory to the argument list of known
pedotransfer functions. The SINFERS' knowledge base knows which PTF rules to apply and how to choose the most certain computed values. SINFERS computes new properties not only from an original input set, but also from all newly inferred properties. Some of the design aspects of this application were presented at the October Rules Fest 2009. Se
October Rules Fest 2009
In November 2009, the formal work on the project was suspended for more than two years. However, as of March 2012, the research has been resumed by Jason Morris, now at the University of Sydney. As of January 2013, the latest progress has been presented in Sydney (April 2012), and the general concepts were discussed in Italy (July 2012) and also in Tasmania (December 2012).
[4 Joint SSA and NZSSS Soil Science Conference Hobart, Tasmania 2–7 December 2012]
Current project scope includes deployment as an interactive web application and exposure as a web service. Public release is scheduled for late 2013.
See also
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Digital soil mapping Digital soil mapping (DSM) in soil science, also referred to as predictive soil mapping or pedometric mapping, is the computer-assisted production of digital maps of soil types and soil properties. Soil mapping, in general, involves the creation and ...
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Pedometrics
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Pedotransfer function In soil science, pedotransfer functions (PTF) are predictive functions of certain soil properties using data from soil surveys.
The term ''pedotransfer function'' was coined by Johan Bouma as ''translating data we have into what we need''. The mo ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Soil Inference System
Pedology