Appendix B — Recording data in the field

Modified

September 20, 2026

Recording field data in a regularised format helps ensure that consistently high standards are kept. Well-structured and complete soil profile descriptions are key supports for subsequent analytical work, including mapping tasks and analysis of laboratory data.

B.1 Data entry forms

Using a data entry form reduces the chance of forgetting to record particular data points, vs freehand notes. The consistent layout also makes it easier to review data for completeness and correctness, and to compare sites.

Data entry forms should be laid out so that the process of filling them out roughly follows the process of field soil description itself. Each section should contain enough room for the parameter being recorded. A high-detail, hard-copy field sheet should still fit on a single A4 page, despite the large number of potential parameters.

Forms can be deployed on paper, but they are vulnerable to wind and rain. Note-taking software on touchscreen tablets (e.g. Microsoft OneNote) can offer a robust alternative.

B.2 App-based data entry

Using a purpose-built app for data entry can reduce the double handling inherent in recording hard-copy data, freeing up office time. Apps do come with design, deployment, and maintenance overheads that need to be taken into account, as well as a significant learning curve for paper-adapted users. Graphical user interfaces, despite their huge potential, are currently (at the time of writing) surprisingly restrictive about layout and input options, and will generally take up more virtual ‘page space’ than a hard-copy sheet.

At the time of writing there is no consumer-grade app dedicated to recording New Zealand soils field data, but the ESRI and QGIS spatial software ecosystems have field data entry frameworks that can be adapted for soils fieldwork.

B.3 Taking and managing photographs

Site photographs provide a valuable record of the profile itself and the nature of the landscape in which it occurs. Photographs should include at least the following:

  • one to four landscape shots from different angles, placing the site in context: stand well back and, where possible, slightly uphill; try to capture reliable landmarks in the background and remove any extraneous objects (e.g. field equipment) that might be distracting
  • one clear photo of the ground condition around the profile, including a clearly marked measuring tape or stick for scale
  • one clear photo of the extracted profile or exposure with a measuring tape for scale: ideally take this photo after tidying the profile but before describing, so that it can be viewed in a minimally disturbed state
  • three to four close-up photos of the profile, capturing 30–40 cm depth ranges; these should slightly overlap.

Consider using a small whiteboard to include the site identifier and date in at least the profile photo. Any further photos (e.g. of concretions or other pedologically important soil features) are optional.

Profile photographs should be taken in clear sunlight with the light behind the photographer, or in full shade. Avoid dappled or dim light, or angled shadows. Note that high-visibility clothing can sometimes reflect light onto profiles in a way that distorts colour.

Using a dedicated field data recording app to take photographs can ensure they are always associated with the correct site identifier. Otherwise, photos should be organised on a per profile basis as soon as possible after fieldwork. The quickest method is simply to place them in a folder named after the site identifier. Renaming image files and/or adding subject-matter tags can be useful for longer-term storage, but the process can be time-consuming.

B.3.1 Photographic equipment

Most users will default to their smartphone camera. This is usually safe, but some newer models default to enhancing photos in ways that are optimised for recreational use rather than scientific data recording. Users should make an effort to understand how their devices are processing photographs and disable any features that may alter the images too heavily.

B.4 Minimum data requirements

Data recording requirements for classifying the profile against the New Zealand Soil Classification are available in Chapter 20, and data needed for some other systems are provided in Appendix E. In Table B.1 the minimum rapid, routine, and detailed recording options described throughout the main text are summarised. Note that there is no reason not to record particular parameters in more detail than the minimum if they are of interest.

Rapid descriptions are primarily made to confirm soil type in a landscape that is already well understood, or to support research work that is not focused on soil processes. Rapid descriptions are also appropriate for students learning soil description for the first time. Routine descriptions are preferred for most soil description work, particularly in the exploratory phases of mapping. Detailed dscriptions are preferred for soil-process-focused research work and for establishing ‘reference sites’ representative of common soil profiles in a region.

Table B.1: Minimum data standards for rapid, routine, and detailed sites. ✅ means required, 🟨 means optional (and may be recorded after the field visit), and ⛔ means not required.
Parameter Rapid Routine Detailed
Site: reference
Site identifier ✅ ✅ ✅
Author Main author Main author and person in charge of sampling, if those differ List all participants and their roles
Location Easting and northing to ±3 m Easting, northing and elevation to ±3 m, equipment used, access notes where needed Easting, northing, elevation and relative elevation above nearest stream to ±1 m, equipment used, access notes where needed
Date ✅ ✅ ✅
Purpose 🟨 🟨 ✅
Selection method 🟨 🟨 ✅
Exposure type ✅ ✅ (may not be A or C2) ✅ (must be P1)
Observation depth ⛔ ✅ ✅
Stopping early ✅ ✅ ✅
Setting: geomorphology
Province 🟨 🟨 🟨
Landscape name ✅ ✅ ✅
Landscape relief ⛔ 🟨 (median may be estimated) ✅
Landscape slope ⛔ 🟨 (median may be estimated) ✅
Landscape drainage ⛔ ⛔ 🟨 (if relevant)
Landscape structural control 🟨 ✅ ✅
Landscape composition ⛔ ⛔ 🟨 (if relevant)
Landform name ✅ ✅ ✅
Landform slope ⛔ 🟨 (median may be estimated) ✅
Landform orientation ⛔ 🟨 ✅
Landform element ⛔ 🟨 ✅
Slope length ⛔ ⛔ 🟨 (if relevant)
Exposure – regional ⛔ ⛔ 🟨 (if relevant)
Exposure – local ⛔ 🟨 (if relevant) 🟨 (if relevant)
Setting: parent material
Geology – map code ⛔ 🟨 (if relevant) 🟨 (if relevant)
Lithology Single dominant at site, note contrasting subsolum separately if needed Multiple dominant at site, note contrasting subsolum separately if needed All observed at site and on surrounding landform
Mineralogy ⛔ 🟨 ✅ sample the profile
Setting: climate and weather
Climate – global ⛔ ⛔ 🟨 (if relevant)
Climate – regional ⛔ 🟨 (estimate macroclimatic zone) ✅ (determine macroclimatic zone from best available data)
Climate – local ⛔ 🟨 (best available data from spatial estimates or nearby stations) ✅(best available data from spatial estimates or nearby stations)
Weather – current conditions ✅ ✅ ✅
Weather – current temperature 🟨 (estimate OK) ✅ (estimate OK) ✅ (measure)
Weather – soil temperature ⛔ 🟨 (if potentially needed to classify) ✅ (measure at 10, 50, and 100 cm)
Weather – recent rainfall ⛔ ✅ ✅ (if possible, days since last rainfall event and total mm in previous 24 hours)
Setting: biota
Vegetation LCDB class LUC class RECCE description
Soil fauna 🟨 (worm count only) 🟨 (worm count only) 🟨 (if relevant)
Setting: land
Land cover LCDB code LCDB code LCDB code
Land use Main land use to at least level 2 Main land use, ancillary uses optional Main and ancillary land uses; prior uses and time since change if known
Land management Free text if known Free text if known Free text, pursue history
Site: surface
Slope ✅ ✅ (no estimates) ✅(no estimates)
Aspect ✅ (class OK e.g. SW) ✅ (numeric) ✅(numeric)
Cover ✅(dominant only) ✅ ✅
Disturbances 🟨(if present) ✅(and estimate time since) ✅(include additional notes)
Surface water 🟨(if present) ✅ ✅
Surface cracking 🟨(if present) ✅ (type and arrangement) ✅ (add measurements)
Microrelief – natural 🟨(if present) ✅ ✅
Microrelief – anthropogenic 🟨(can infer from disturbance) ✅ ✅
Erosion – detailed ⛔ ✅ (type) ✅(type, severity, activity)
Deposition – detailed ⛔ ✅ (type) ✅(type, severity, activity)
Site: horizons
Boundary lower depth Single measurement to midpoint of transition Single measurement to midpoint of transition Median and range
Boundary shape 🟨(if observable) 🟨(if observable) ✅
Boundary distinctness ✅ (class) ✅ (median) ✅(median and range)
Infill features 🟨(if observable) 🟨(if observable) ✅
Moisture status ✅ ✅ ✅
Depth to free water ✅ ✅ ✅
Lithology ⛔(recorded for site overall)
  • Main per horizon, distinguishing lithology of coarse fragments if they differ.
  • Main subsolum/bedrock (if encountered)
  • Use lithology composition code if in doubt (sparingly)
 All identifiable lithologies, per horizon, separately for coarse and fine mineral materials. Optionally, record for finer gradations of particle size as needed. Sample for confirmation as needed.
Weathering 🟨(only if subsolum encountered) ✅ ✅
Parent material origin ✅(per site) ✅(per horizon) ✅(per horizon)
Profile: architecture
Structure Origin, grade. If pedal, shape, modal size as coarse or fine Origin, grade. If pedal, shape, median size in mm. Origin, grade. If pedal, shape, median size and range in mm. Describe nesting peds if present.
Fragments
  • Rock abundance from texture code
  • Natural fragment type and abundance if present in large amounts
  • Artefact type and abundance if present in large amounts
  • Abundance of rock, natural and artefacts (confirm 0% of each). See also horizon lithology
  • Rock fragment roundedness and weathering if present
  • Natural fragment type and abundance if present
  • Artefact type and abundance if present
  • Rock fragment abundance, lithology, shape, roundedness, roughness and weathering by as many size classes as preferred
  • Natural fragment abundance, type, and size
  • Artefact type, abundance, size, origin, fixation, shape, and degradation
Roots ✅(presence/absence) ✅(abundance count total, overall position) ✅(abundance count and position by size class)
Voids ✅(total areal percentage) ✅(areal percentage by type) ✅ (areal percentage and connectivity by type)
Pores ✅(presence/absence) ✅(presence/absence) ✅(counts for macro and micro)
Profile: subsolum
Lithology 🟨(main, if encountered) ✅ ✅
Weathering (geogenic features) ✅ ✅ ✅
Bedding ✅(presence/absence, steepness class) ✅(angle, median thickness) ✅(angle, thicknesses)
Fractures ✅(presence/absence, close or not) ✅(type, orientation, spacing) ✅(type, orientation, spacing)
Profile: colour
Matrix colour Moist matrix colour Moist matrix colour Moist and dry matrix colour(s)
Patterns Type, moist colour short code. If redox, abundance of low-chroma colours Type, moist colour short code. If redox, abundance of low-chroma colours Type, moist colour, abundance.
Profile: texture
Texture class Texture group plus dominant rock fragment and/or organic code as needed Texture class, rock and/or organic modifiers as preferred Texture class, rock and/or organic modifiers, as detailed as possible
Particle size ⛔ Estimate clay and sand percentages Estimate clay and sand percentages
Profile: weathering features
Concentrations Type, abundance Form, type, abundance Form, type, abundance, size
Coatings Major type Major type, abundance, colour (short) Type, abundance, colour (Munsell)
Pans 🟨(use horizon names, record only if diagnostic) Type, continuity, structure Type, continuity, structure
Stress features Type if present Type, abundance Type, abundance
Cryofeatures 🟨Free text notes 🟨Free text notes Free text notes
Profile: consistence tests As needed for classification
  • Unconfined strength (moist)
  • Mode of failure

Otherwise as needed for classification

 All applicable to the kind of material as per Table 16.1
Profile: field tests As needed for classification
  • pHf (any method)
  • NaFf (if allophanic material suspected)

Otherwise as needed for classification

 🟨(only if intending to compare field and laboratory measures – assumes sampling for laboratory analysis)
Profile: interpretations
Horizon notation Primary designations, redox signifiers, pan-related suffixes Secondary designations plus any other signifiers as needed Secondary designations plus any other signifiers as needed
Drainage ✅ ✅(include assessment of alteration) ✅(include assessment of alteration)
Permeability ✅ ✅ 🟨(if not directly measured)
Root barriers ✅(most limiting only, if any present) ✅(all and depths) ✅(all and depths)
New Zealand Soil Classification ✅(to at least Order) ✅(to at least Subgroup) ✅(to Sibling)