Comparison of the prediction efficiency of two pedotransfer functions for soil cation‐exchange capacity

Abstract The aim of this study was to provide knowledge of the prediction efficiency of two pedotransfer functions for soil cation‐exchange capacity (CEC), i.e., the approaches of Krogh et al. (2000) and Scheinost (1995). Potential CEC, i.e., CEC at pH 8.1, was predicted for 30 samples of German soils showing a strong variation of soil organic C and clay content which are important soil characteristics for CEC. The results were compared to analyzed potential CEC of the samples by coefficient‐of‐efficiency (EC) criterion of Nash and Sutcliffe (1970). Significant deviations between observed and measured CEC were found for both functions. The approach of Scheinost (1995) showed a higher prediction efficiency (EC = 0.77 in comparison to EC = 0.26 for Krogh et al., 2000) and better results under extrapolative conditions.