Digital Mapping of Soil Classes Using Ensemble of Models in Isfahan Region, Iran

<jats:p>Digital soil maps can be used to depict the ability of soil to fulfill certain functions. Digital maps offer reliable information that can be used in spatial planning programs. Several broad types of data mining approaches through Digital Soil Mapping (DSM) have been tested. The usual approach is to select a model that produces the best validation statistics. However, instead of choosing the best model, it is possible to combine all models realizing their strengths and weaknesses. We applied seven different techniques for the prediction of soil classes based on 194 sites located in Isfahan region. The mapping exercise aims to produce a soil class map that can be used for better understanding and management of soil resources. The models used in this study include Multinomial Logistic Regression (MnLR), Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Decision Tree (DT), Random Forest (RF), Bayesian Networks (BN), and Sparse Multinomial Logistic Regression (SMnLR). Two ensemble models based on majority votes (Ensemble.1) and MnLR (Ensemble.2) were implemented for integrating the optimal aspects of the individual techniques. The overall accuracy (OA), Cohen's kappa coefficient index (κ) and the area under the curve (AUC) were calculated based on 10-fold-cross validation with 100 repeats at four soil taxonomic levels. The Ensemble.2 model was able to achieve larger OA, κ coefficient and AUC compared to the best performing individual model (i.e., RF). Results of the ensemble model showed a decreasing trend in OA from Order (0.90) to Subgroup (0.53). This was also the case for the κ statistic, which was the largest for the Order (0.66) and smallest for the Subgroup (0.43). Same decrease was observed for AUC from Order (0.81) to Subgroup (0.67). The improvement in κ was substantial (43 to 60%) at all soil taxonomic levels, except the Order level. We conclude that the application of the ensemble model using the MnLR was optimal, as it provided a highly accurate prediction for all soil taxonomic levels over and above the individual models. It also used information from all models, and thus this method can be recommended for improved soil class modelling. Soil maps created by this DSM approach showed soils that are prone to degradation and need to be carefully managed and conserved to avoid further land degradation.</jats:p>