Soils Data

The data shows tonnes of nitrogen applied calculated from the application of urea, diammonium phosphate (DAP), and ammonium sulphate (SOA) in New Zealand.

More information on this dataset and how it relates to our environmental reporting indicators and topics can be found in the attached data quality pdf.

This metadata record describes an image of land predicted to be at risk of severe mass movement erosion for the South Island. The image was produced using the Highly Erodible Land model that identifies land at risk to the main forms of mass-movement soil erosion in New Zealand: landsliding, gullying, or earthflow erosion. If the land has protective woody vegetation, then it is not at risk (Dymond et al., 2006). The Highly Erodible Land model identifies five classes of land at risk of erosion: (1) High landslide risk – delivery to stream; (2) high landslide risk – non-delivery to steam; (3) Moderate earthflow risk; (4) Severe earthflow risk; and (5) Gully risk. Landsliding occurs on steep slopes where the soils do not have protective tree roots. The slope angle at which land is considered at risk to landsliding depends on rock strength. Where land is steeper than this slope threshold and does not have woody vegetation, it is considered at risk to landsliding. There is no slope threshold for land at risk to gullying or earthflow erosion. Where land is at risk to gullying or earthflow erosion and does not have woody vegetation, it is considered at risk. The different types of mass-movement soil erosion are not ranked in severity, except for earthflow risk which has extreme and moderate classes of risk. Use: These data provide a regional perspective on land at risk of soil erosion.

More information on this dataset and how it relates to our environmental reporting indicators and topics can be found in the attached data quality pdf.

Industry estimates of fertiliser nutrient consumption in New Zealand 1990–2015.

More information on this dataset and how it relates to our environmental reporting indicators and topics can be found in the attached data quality pdf.

The data identifies five classes of land in New Zealand at risk of erosion:

1. high landslide risk – delivery to stream
2. high landslide risk – non-delivery to steam
3. moderate earthflow risk
4. severe earthflow risk
5. gully risk

Landslide erosion is the shallow (approximately 1m) and sudden failure of soil slopes during storm rainfall. Earthflow erosion is the slow downward movement (approximately 1m/year) of wet soil slopes towards waterways. Gully erosion is massive soil erosion that begins at gully heads and expands up hillsides over decadal time scales.

Erosion can have negative consequences on land productivity, water quality (via increased sedimentation and turbidity), the natural form of the land, and infrastructure.

New Zealand experiences high rates of soil erosion. In the North Island, this is mostly due to the historical clearance of forest for agriculture (see also Estimated long-term soil erosion). In contrast, erosion in the South Island is mostly due to natural processes, primarily high rainfall and steep mountain slopes.

It is important to identify areas of land at risk of severe erosion to inform land-use decisions and help prioritise regional soil conservation work.

More information on this dataset and how it relates to our environmental reporting indicators and topics can be found in the attached data quality pdf.

Soil supports the productivity of agriculture, horticulture, and forestry, and filters water to help prevent waterways from becoming contaminated. Different land uses put pressure on the land environment and can change soil quality. Soil quality is assessed under four different groups of land uses: forestry, cropping and horticulture, dairy, and dry stock by measuring the following soil properties: acidity (pH), fertility (Olsen P), organic reserves (total carbon, total nitrogen, mineralisable nitrogen), and physical status (macroporosity and bulk density). Soil scientists have identified the target range for each of these indicators, for maintaining production but with a prime focus for managing risk to the environment.

This measure reports on soil quality, by land use and soil order.