Soils

Part of a response to climate change adaptation must include a consideration of soil fertility on farms.  Seeds of Life is working together with volunteers from the Australian Soils Association to support the soils lab within the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.  Soils samples are being collected from across the country and will be tested in the lab.

As of the start of 2013, the lab is testing pH, phosphorus and electrical conductivity. We hope to provide results of these findings here.

In the 1950s to 1960s, soil scientists from Portugal did extensive soil surveys of the mainland of Timor-Leste.  This was collated into a publication called “Solos de Timor” Portuguese.  This publication has been translated to English, the data collated into an interactive excel file and the maps have been digitised.  From this information, a person with GIS skills can construct suitable soil maps particular to the area they are working on.

Below you can download these and other resources about the geology and soils of Timor-Leste.

Soil Data from SoL 2000-2004 – Results for 20 physical and chemical characteristics of soils from around 35 sites across Timor-Leste.

Soil Data from SoL 2012 – Preliminary results from the new soils lab, only six samples with results for Phosphorus, pH, EC.

Geology and Soils of Timor Leste  – an overview of soils and their connection to the underlying geology in Timor-Leste, by S.J.Thompson, 2011

Hydrogeology of Timor-Leste —  AusGeo NewsGeoscience Australia Groundwater project (BESIK)

Electrical conductivity – EC is a way of measuring the soils ability to conduct electricity.  It can be an indication of nutrient levels in the soil.  In case you don’t know what its about, check out this document from Virginia State University.

Timor Agri – Soil data from the Timor Agri website.

National Soil map – Timor-Leste soil information such as soil texture, pH, slope, rainfall, geology, hydrogeology, and other information.

Solos de Timor Resources

Solos de Timor Chart – an excel file with all the technical data from Solos de Timor in English

Solos de Timor Soil Legend – a printable word doc showing the soil data matched with the codes for Solos de Timor

Solos de Timor Maps:  the original maps

Baucau Lautem Liquica Los Palos
Lagoa Modo Mahut Tutuala             
Dili                   
Manatuto               
Maliana Same

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