Quantifying the connectivity dimension of the soil security assessment framework

Abstract

Connectivity is one of the five dimensions within the Soil Security Assessment Framework, designed to measure the cognitive and experiential bonds that stakeholders have with soils. However, a quantifiable framework integrating soil connectivity with the broader assessment framework has been lacking. This study addresses this gap by introducing a novel framework that assesses soil connectivity through knowledge, action, and attitude indicators. Using an online self-evaluation tool, the framework was applied to Australian land managers, focusing on the connectivity of two soil functions and six soil threats. The framework includes: utility graphs for each indicator; a method for nuanced interpretation of each soil role and connectivity indicators; spatial components; and automatic feedback to stakeholders. Our results indicate that knowledge indicators are consistently high across the country, while attitude utilities vary most and are often lowest; education had no effect, and younger stakeholders stood out for significantly lower, though still high, utility values. The study also identifies specific soil roles which require strengthening in different geographic regions. Despite the generally high levels of connectivity, the threat to soils by salinisation emerges as the soil role with the lowest connectivity utility. However, no significant correlation was found between the threat to soils by salinisation utility values and stakeholders' age or educational level, suggesting that other factors, possibly spatial or environmental, are more important. This study displays the importance of assessing knowledge, action, and attitude indicators when assessing connectivity and obtaining spatial information for spatial analysis.