Brazilian soil surveys are mostly outdated, with few details, usually based on discovery and recognition. This fact can be ascribed to the traditional, slow and expensive soil survey method, requiring a great number of field observations. Thus, faster and cheaper soil mapping techniques must be developed. The objective of this study was to characterize soil mapping units in the region of Ibaté and São Carlos, state of São Paulo, measuring slopes and altitudes, based on a digital elevation model (DEM). First a semi-detailed soil map was drawn based on the traditional methodology. Then, the DEM was elaborated using contour lines of the region, from which maps with different slope and elevation classes were extracted. By cross tabulation each soil was determined in each slope and elevation class. Each soil responded differently in relation to the slope classes. However, an overlapping of two or more soils can occur in the limit ranges. In the study area, the Typic Haplustox can be found predominantly in higher and plain areas. Low weathered soils such as the Typic Udorthent are however found at different slope levels. It was concluded that knowledge on the soil distribution in the relief is very important for soil surveys. The DEM have similarities with the soil map and can contribute with some information. Soil variations are however extremely complex, which makes field observations indispensable.
Digital elevation model; Geographic information system; Soil classes
