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Canonical property vocabulary

The live registry at GET /v1/properties is authoritative. The vocabulary is developing and can change during the experimental period.

ID Standard unit Current SDA support Critical distinction
ph pH supported solution and ratio matter
organic_carbon % planned not inferred from organic matter
organic_matter % supported analytical/estimation method matters
sand, silt, clay % supported particle-size method and fraction limits matter
cation_exchange_capacity cmol(+)/kg planned pH and extraction method matter
bulk_density g/cm³ supported water tension and fragment treatment matter
total_nitrogen % planned digestion/combustion method matters
available_phosphorus mg/kg planned extractant defines “available”
electrical_conductivity dS/m supported extract ratio/method matters
calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium mg/kg planned exchangeable and total values differ
iron, manganese, zinc, boron mg/kg planned extractable and total values differ
selenium, arsenic mg/kg planned digestion, detection limit, and matrix matter

Aliases

Aliases help accept common names such as CEC, SOC, OM, EC, and element symbols. They do not erase method distinctions. A contributor adding an alias must demonstrate that it names the same property concept rather than a related measurement.

Conversion policy

Conversions are allowlisted and return a transformation object. OpenSoil does not currently convert organic matter to organic carbon, derive texture fractions, or translate extraction methods. Any new conversion needs a decision-log entry, test fixtures, precision rules, and documentation of scientific limits.