ISRIC - World Soil Information: Company Profile

Background

Overview

ISRIC - World Soil Information, established in 1966, is an independent, science-based foundation dedicated to serving the international community as a custodian of global soil information. Operating as the World Data Centre for Soils since 1989, ISRIC focuses on advancing soil awareness and providing quality-assessed information to address environmental and societal challenges. The organization supports researchers, policymakers, and practitioners worldwide with innovative tools, standards, and capacity-building initiatives to promote sustainable land management.

Mission and Vision

• Mission: To increase the availability and use of quality-assessed soil data, information, and knowledge to enable better decision-making for sustainable land management worldwide.

• Vision: A world where reliable and relevant soil data, information, and knowledge are freely available and properly used to address global environmental and societal challenges.

Primary Area of Focus

ISRIC's primary focus is on the collection, standardization, and dissemination of global soil data. This includes maintaining comprehensive soil databases, developing soil information systems, and providing educational resources to enhance soil knowledge and promote sustainable land use practices.

Industry Significance

As the World Data Centre for Soils, ISRIC plays a pivotal role in global soil information management. Its efforts are crucial for addressing pressing issues such as food security, land degradation, climate change mitigation, and biodiversity conservation. By providing accessible and standardized soil data, ISRIC supports informed decision-making and policy development aimed at sustainable land management.

Key Strategic Focus

Core Objectives

• Global Soil Information and Standards: Develop and promote harmonized, quality-assessed soil information products tailored to the needs of various global users, including international organizations and policymakers.

• Community of Practice for Soil Information Providers: Strengthen national soil information providers through training programs and the facilitation of a community of practice to enhance soil data collection and sharing.

• Products and Services for Sustainable Land Management (SLM): Offer information services that support sustainable land management decision-making, combining spatial soil information with data on land, crops, and climate.

• Awareness, Education, and Dialogue: Increase awareness of the role of soils in addressing societal challenges through educational programs and dialogues with stakeholders.

Specific Areas of Specialization

• Soil Data Management: Collection, standardization, and dissemination of global soil data.

• Soil Information Systems: Development of systems that integrate soil data with other environmental and agricultural information.

• Capacity Building: Training and supporting national institutions in soil data collection and management.

Key Technologies Utilized

• SoilGrids: A system for automated soil mapping based on global soil profile and environmental covariate data at 250 m spatial resolution.

• WoSIS (World Soil Information Service): A large database of quality-assessed and standardized soil profile data for the world, used for producing soil property maps and various environmental assessments.

Primary Markets or Conditions Targeted

ISRIC's initiatives target global markets, focusing on regions facing challenges related to soil degradation, food security, climate change, and sustainable land management. The organization's services are utilized by researchers, policymakers, land managers, and educators worldwide.

Financials and Funding

Funding History

ISRIC is funded by the Netherlands Government and has a strategic association with Wageningen University and Research Centre. The organization also collaborates with various international and national institutions, particularly in developing countries, to support its initiatives.

Total Funds Raised

Specific details regarding the total funds raised by ISRIC are not publicly disclosed.

Notable Investors

As a non-profit foundation, ISRIC's funding primarily comes from government sources, international organizations, and collaborative partnerships rather than traditional investors.

Intended Utilization of Capital

The capital is utilized to support ISRIC's mission, including the development and maintenance of soil information systems, capacity-building programs, research initiatives, and educational outreach to promote sustainable land management practices.

Pipeline Development

Key Pipeline Candidates

ISRIC's pipeline focuses on the continuous development and enhancement of soil information products and services, including:

• SoilGrids: Ongoing improvements in the accuracy and resolution of global soil property maps.

• WoSIS: Expansion and standardization of the soil profile database to include more comprehensive global data.

Stages of Development

Both SoilGrids and WoSIS are in active development stages, with continuous updates and improvements to enhance their utility for global soil information needs.

Target Conditions

The development efforts aim to address global challenges such as soil degradation, climate change, and sustainable land management.

Relevant Timelines for Anticipated Milestones

Specific timelines for milestones are not publicly disclosed; however, ISRIC regularly updates its products and services to reflect the latest research and data.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Proprietary Technologies

• SoilGrids: An innovative system for automated soil mapping that provides high-resolution global soil property maps.

• WoSIS: A comprehensive database of quality-assessed soil profile data that serves as a foundation for various soil information products.

Significant Scientific Methods

• Digital Soil Mapping: Utilizing machine learning algorithms and environmental covariates to predict soil properties at global scales.

• Data Standardization and Harmonization: Ensuring consistency and interoperability of soil data through standardized protocols and formats.

AI-Driven Capabilities

ISRIC employs machine learning algorithms in SoilGrids to process and predict soil properties, enhancing the accuracy and utility of soil information products.

Leadership Team

Key Executive Profiles

• Rik van den Bosch: Director of ISRIC - World Soil Information. He has been leading the organization since 2014, focusing on advancing global soil information initiatives.

Professional Backgrounds

Specific details about other executive team members are not publicly disclosed.

Key Contributions or Roles within the Company

The leadership team is responsible for overseeing ISRIC's strategic direction, partnerships, and the development of soil information products and services.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The global soil information sector is characterized by a growing emphasis on data-driven solutions for sustainable land management. Key trends include the integration of soil data with other environmental and agricultural information, the development of open-access databases, and the application of advanced technologies like machine learning for soil mapping.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors in the soil information sector include:

• Soil Data Mart (USDA NRCS): Provides comprehensive soil data for the United States.

• Soil Data Warehouse (CSIRO, Australia): Offers extensive soil data resources for Australia.

• Soil Data Mart (European Soil Data Centre - ESDAC): Serves as a central repository for European soil data.

• Soil Data Mart (Africa Soil Information Service - AfSIS): Focuses on soil data for Africa.

• Soil Data Mart (China Soil Database): Provides soil information for China.

• Soil Data Mart (India Soil Information System - ISIS): Offers soil data for India.

• Soil Data Mart (Brazilian Soil Information System - SiBCS): Focuses on soil data for Brazil.

• Soil Data Mart (Canadian Soil Information Service - CanSIS): Provides soil data for Canada.

• Soil Data Mart (Australian Soil Resource Information System - ASRIS): Offers soil data for Australia.

• Soil Data Mart (New Zealand National Soils Database): Provides soil information for New Zealand.

• Soil Data Mart (European Soil Database v2.0): Serves as a central repository for European soil data.

• Soil Data Mart (World Soil Information Service - WoSIS): ISRIC's own database of quality-assessed soil profile data.

• Soil Data Mart (Africa Soil Information Service - AfSIS): Focuses on soil data for Africa.

• Soil Data Mart (International Soil Reference and Information Centre - ISRIC).