The soil knowledge library (KLIB) – a structured literature database on soil process research

Abstract

Abstract. In this technical note, we introduce a web-based application, the BonaRes Knowledge Library (KLIB, https://klibrary.bonares.de, last access: 26 July 2023), for the compilation and classification of scientific publications on soil processes according to the specific site conditions and experimental boundary conditions. The tool was developed based on the understanding that experimental findings in soil science are highly dependent on soil type, land use, and climate. The KLIB, therefore, goes beyond other available digital libraries by providing metadata on the site conditions and experimental settings for each publication. A number of visualization tools have been developed in the form of graphical networks to illustrate, for example, publications sharing the same type of scientific questions or soil properties that are affected by different types of drivers. This should help to explore the contents of the literature database more efficiently in order to support and facilitate the literature search efforts of the users. The KLIB is designed as a collaborative effort to encourage soil scientists to participate by entering their own studies and extending the existing database.