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Soil Ontology and Informatics Cluster
What we do: Harmonize soil data collection and taxonomy by connecting the soils research community.
Why we do it: Soil is complex; data standards and tools provide consistency for important agricultural and ecological science.

The Soil Ontology and Informatics Cluster helps connect the soils research community and those whose research incorporates soils data to informatics tools for better research. The group develops semantics and ontologies resources — notably an ongoing series of presentations every other week — as well as community building efforts to make connections between people who might not otherwise have the chance to meet.
Join the Cluster on Tuesdays every other week at 4 p.m. EDT.
Soil Ontology Resources
Soil Ontology & Informatics Presentations
In their YouTube playlist and Github, the Soil Ontology and Informatics Cluster dive into specific tools, semantics, and ontologies to help soil researchers organize, analyze, and share their data. With more than 20 videos, the playlist and Github provides many tools for soil and data scientists.
The Promise of Big Diverse Soil Data
Published in Biosciences, the article “Reviews and syntheses: The promise of big diverse soil data, moving current practices towards future potential” provides a rich discussion of leading practices to help soil scientists gather and share data. The work was led by cluster co-chair Kathe Todd-Brown.
ESIP Meeting Sessions
In 2021, the Soil Ontology and Informatics Cluster led their first session on Dynamic Soil Information Systems. In 2022, the group pulled together an interactive session exploring data interoperability in soil science. Including soil research is key in climate adaptation strategies.
Join your Earth Science Data community
Get Involved with ESIP
- In January and July, we hold two ESIP Meetings
- Each month, our 30+ collaboration areas hold Zoom gatherings, called telecons, scheduled on the Community Calendar
- The ESIP Lab pulls in technical expertise in Earth science data and information to support innovative pilot projects
- Also, we fund Community Fellows each year to mentor early career researchers
- ESIP offers awards and peer recognition for Earth science data professionals and the Raskin Scholarship for graduate students
Learn more about the people, projects, and organization of our 501(c)3 nonprofit.

Join your Earth Science Data community
Get Involved with ESIP
- In January and July, we hold two ESIP Meetings
- Each month, our 30+ collaboration areas hold Zoom gatherings, called telecons, scheduled on the Community Calendar
- The ESIP Lab pulls in technical expertise in Earth science data and information to support innovative pilot projects
- Also, we fund Community Fellows each year to mentor early career researchers
- ESIP offers awards and peer recognition for Earth science data professionals and the Raskin Scholarship for graduate students
Learn more about the people, projects, and organization of our 501(c)3 nonprofit.