Soil inference system
Encyclopedia
Inference
is a process of deriving logical conclusion from the basis of empirical evidence and prior knowledge rather than on the basis of direct observation. Soil Inference System (SINFERS) is the term proposed by McBratney et al. (2002) as a knowledge base to infer soil properties and populate the digital soil databases. SINFERS takes measurements with a given level of certainty and infers data that is not known with minimal uncertainties by means of logically linked predictive functions. These predictive functions, in a non-spatial context are referred to as pedotransfer function
s. The basic assumption underlying SINFERS is that if we know or are able to predict the basic fundamental properties of the soil, we should be able to infer all other physical and chemical properties using PTFs. Pedotransfer functions relate basic soil properties to other more difficult or expensive to measure soil properties by means of regression and various data mining
tools.
Crucial to the operation of SINFERS are reliable inputs, the ability to link basic soil information, and the quantification of uncertainty
.
, Australia in collaboration with Jason Morris of Morris Technical Solutions, USA, completed a working prototype of SINFERS. This implementation of the SINFERS concept uses Jess
to pattern match object representations of subsets of soil properties in working memory to the argument list of known pedotransfer functions. The SINFERS' knowledge base knows which PTF rules to apply and how to choose the most certain computed values. SINFERS computes new properties not only from an original input set, but also from all newly inferred properties. Some of the design aspects of this application were presented at the October Rules Fest 2009. See October Rules Fest 2009 .
As of November 2009, formal work on the project has been suspended, though it anticipated to resume in the future.
Inference
Inference is the act or process of deriving logical conclusions from premises known or assumed to be true. The conclusion drawn is also called an idiomatic. The laws of valid inference are studied in the field of logic.Human inference Inference is the act or process of deriving logical conclusions...
is a process of deriving logical conclusion from the basis of empirical evidence and prior knowledge rather than on the basis of direct observation. Soil Inference System (SINFERS) is the term proposed by McBratney et al. (2002) as a knowledge base to infer soil properties and populate the digital soil databases. SINFERS takes measurements with a given level of certainty and infers data that is not known with minimal uncertainties by means of logically linked predictive functions. These predictive functions, in a non-spatial context are referred to as pedotransfer function
Pedotransfer function
Pedotransfer function is a term used in soil science literature, which can be defined as predictive functions of certain soil properties from other more available, easily, routinely, or cheaply measured properties...
s. The basic assumption underlying SINFERS is that if we know or are able to predict the basic fundamental properties of the soil, we should be able to infer all other physical and chemical properties using PTFs. Pedotransfer functions relate basic soil properties to other more difficult or expensive to measure soil properties by means of regression and various data mining
Data mining
Data mining , a relatively young and interdisciplinary field of computer science is the process of discovering new patterns from large data sets involving methods at the intersection of artificial intelligence, machine learning, statistics and database systems...
tools.
Crucial to the operation of SINFERS are reliable inputs, the ability to link basic soil information, and the quantification of uncertainty
Uncertainty
Uncertainty is a term used in subtly different ways in a number of fields, including physics, philosophy, statistics, economics, finance, insurance, psychology, sociology, engineering, and information science...
.
Current status
During 2007-2009, Grant Tranter of the University of SydneyUniversity of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
, Australia in collaboration with Jason Morris of Morris Technical Solutions, USA, completed a working prototype of SINFERS. This implementation of the SINFERS concept uses Jess
Jess
-First name:*Jess Atkinson , American football player*Jess Cain , American radio host*Jess Cates , American songwriter*Jess Collins , American visual artist, known only today by his first name Jess...
to pattern match object representations of subsets of soil properties in working memory to the argument list of known pedotransfer functions. The SINFERS' knowledge base knows which PTF rules to apply and how to choose the most certain computed values. SINFERS computes new properties not only from an original input set, but also from all newly inferred properties. Some of the design aspects of this application were presented at the October Rules Fest 2009. See October Rules Fest 2009 .
As of November 2009, formal work on the project has been suspended, though it anticipated to resume in the future.
See also
- PedometricsPedometricsPedometrics is the application of mathematical and statistical methods for the study of the distribution and genesis of soils.Pedometrics is a neologism derived from the Greek roots pedos, soil and, metron, measurement...
- Pedotransfer functionPedotransfer functionPedotransfer function is a term used in soil science literature, which can be defined as predictive functions of certain soil properties from other more available, easily, routinely, or cheaply measured properties...
- Digital soil mappingDigital soil mappingDigital Soil Mapping in soil science, or "predictive soil mapping", is the computer-assisted production of digital maps of soil type and soil properties. Digital Soil Mapping involves the creation and population of spatial soil information by the use of field and laboratory observational methods...