Evaluation of two new-generation global soil databases for macro-scale hydrological modelling in Norway

Lack of national soil property maps limits the studies moisture (SM) dynamics in Norway. One alternative is to apply global data as input for macro-scale hydrological modelling, but quality these still unknown. The objectives this study are 1) evaluate two recent databases (Wise30sec and SoilGrids) comparison with from local profiles; 2) which database supports better model performance terms river discharge SM three catchments Norway 3) suggest criteria selection models different complexity. were evaluated steps: compared directly Norwegian forest simulated based on observations products. Two applied simulate SM: Soil Water Integrated Model (SWIM) Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) model. profiles shows that SoilGrids has smaller mean errors than Wise30sec, especially upper layers, both have large root squared poor correlations. SWIM generally performs using Wise30sec higher correlations In contrast, VIC less sensitive correlated products SoilGrids. Based results, we conclude can provide reasonable information at coarse resolutions areas. should depend characteristics