Surface soil is one of the most important resources that have many functions for human needs such as conservation of water resource, purification of contaminated materials, and productivity of food or energy. However, the surface soil is a limited resource that cannot be recovered readily for a long time once it is lost by erosion. In Korea, the Ministry of Environment enacted the notification on the investigation of surface soil erosion and corresponding countermeasures. As the results, database of soil quality assess criteria (biomass, groundwater recharge, habitat, carbon storage, buffer, and soil loss) was established, and the web-based system that can evaluate surface soil conditions was developed. However, non-experts have difficulties in using the system because the system requires in-depth knowledge about soil qualities. In this study, the Web Geographic Information System (GIS) watershed-based surface soil information system was developed to improve usability of the system and accessibility of soil quaility database. The system provides the current condition of surface soil characteristics and GIS-based soil data at selected locations. The users are able to download soil quality data in different districts, watersheds, and special regions allocated by TauDEM module. The system developed in this study would valuable surface soil information for studies of soil quality and its environmental effects, and thereby contributing to establishing more appropriate and robust soil conservation laws.

Keywords: Web GIS;Surface soil;Watershed-based;TauDEM;