Implementation of a new algorithm for Clapas in R language in order to improve efficiency of soil survey.

The growing development of information technologies and the breakthroughs made in signal and image analysis allow automating many protocols. Digital Soil Mapping is one of the numerous applications illustrating this ability to engineer and innovate computed, automated and repeatable treatment and analysis methods. The clapas algorithm developed in 1994 by J.-M Robbez-Masson is within this framework. It allows the segmentation of an image using reference areas and ancillary variables chosen to discriminate different soil mapping units. The map resulting from this segmentation can then be used as a basis for a traditional soil mapping as it simplifies and eases the field work. We have implemented this algorithm in the 'R' language in order to generalize its use and to enhance its functionalities.