Global Assessment of Human-induced Soil Degradation (GLASOD)

The GLASOD project (1987-1990), carried out for UNEP, has produced a world map of human-induced soil degradation. Data were compiled in cooperation with a large number of soil scientists throughout the world, using uniform Guidelines and international correlation. The status of soil degradation was mapped within loosely defined physiographic units (polygons), based on expert judgement. The type, extent, degree, rate and main causes of degradation have been printed on a global map, at a scale of 1:10 million, and documented in a downloadable database. Information about the areal extent of human-induced soil degradation can be found in an explanatory note.

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field Value
Last Updated September 17, 2026, 08:43 (UTC)
Created October 25, 2023, 14:44 (UTC)
access_constraints []
bbox-east-long 180.00
bbox-north-lat 72.00
bbox-south-lat -57.00
bbox-west-long -180.00
contact-email zhanguo.bai@isric.org
coupled-resource []
dataset-reference-date [{"type": "publication", "value": "1990-10-01"}]
frequency-of-update
graphic-preview-file https://files.isric.org/public/thumbnails/other/GLASOD.png
guid 9e84c15e-cb46-45e2-9126-1ca38bd5cd22
licence []
lineage Oldeman LR, Hakkeling RTA and Sombroek WG 1991. World Map of the Status of Human-Induced Soil Degradation: An explanatory Note (rev. ed.), UNEP and ISRIC, Wageningen, https://isric.org/sites/default/files/isric_report_1990_07.pdf
metadata-date 2025-10-28T11:40:22
metadata-language eng
progress Completed
resource-type dataset
responsible-party [{"name": "ISRIC - World Soil Information", "roles": ["Author", "pointOfContact"]}]
spatial {"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": [[[-180.0, -57.0], [180.0, -57.0], [180.0, 72.0], [-180.0, 72.0], [-180.0, -57.0]]]}
spatial-data-service-type
spatial-reference-system 4326
spatial_harvester true
temporal-extent-begin 1988-01-01
temporal-extent-end 1990-10-01