Spatial scale drives pedodiversity-elevation relationship in Botswana

Here, we examine pedodiversity (soil diversity) driven by elevation, focusing explicitly on spatial scale.Understanding this relationship is crucial due to its implications for soil management, biodiversity conservation, and monitoring erosion. However, most studies overlook the influence of spatial scale on this relationship, often reporting a one-sided perspective.Using machine learning coupled with statistical models, we demonstrate that this relationship is highly dependent on spatial scale. This highlights the importance of considering spatial scale as a critical factor in understanding soil formation linked to soil forming factors like elevation.