Work

A multi-decadal assessment dataset of soil organic matter in the Sanjiang Plain black soil region (1984–2023)

Year: 2026

Type: data-paper

Abstract: Accurate estimation of soil organic matter (SOM) content in cultivated land is essential for food security and climate change mitigation. Here we present SOM-SJP-40y, a 40-year (1984-2023) dataset of topsoil SOM dynamics for the Sanjiang Plain, a typical black soil region in China. The dataset integrates 364 field samples (0-20 cm) with decadal median composites of bare soil imagery derived from Landsat time series on the Google Earth Engine platform. SOM predictions were generated using a probabilistic hybrid modeling approach combined with K-means clustering, achieving a model performance of R² = 0.72, RMSE = 8.66 g kg⁻¹, and RPD = 1.75. Using SOM-SJP-40y, we observe spatially heterogeneous SOM dynamics, with localized SOM increases in some areas since the 2010s that may be associated with recent conservation policies. This dataset offers a valuable resource for soil quality assessment, farmland protection, and carbon management in black soil regions.

Source: Scientific Data

DOI: 10.1038/s41597-026-07401-1

Authors: Yu Zhang, Huanjun Liu, Chong Luo

Institutions: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources

Language: English

Topic: Soil Geostatistics and Mapping

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Life on land, Climate action, Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,490