Integrating Big Data Analytics in Soil Quality Assessment: Techniques, Challenges, and Applications

This review paper investigates the application of Big Data analytics, focusing on soil quality assessment, with an emphasis on the innovative benefits offered by modern data-driven techniques for improved soil management. With world food demands rising, the importance for real-time and exact soil quality monitoring has increased. Although still useful, traditional approaches to modeling are limited in their ability to capture the spatial and temporal variability of soil properties. Big Data analytics sits as the answer to the above by facilitating extensive and large volume data processing resulting in better, on-demand and scalable soil quality assessment. In the paper, we describe machine learning algorithms, remote sensing and geospatial analysis as key techniques to mine soil data at scales and resolutions unprecedented so far. We also critically evaluate the challenge of data integration (heterogeneity, scalability and multi-disciplinarity). These analytics are scalable for assessment and decision-making in precision agriculture, sustainable land management and environmental conservation. Thus, this paper synthesizes current research and practical implications in support of the need for Big Data analytics within soils and soil sciences to cover also future challenges. Future research directions are also highlighted, including the importance of improved data acquisition and algorithmic advances as well greater synergy between Big Data and conventional soil science practices..