A Two-Part Framework for Depth to Bedrock Prediction and Uncertainty Assessment in Sweden

Abstract

Accurate mapping of depth to bedrock (DTB) in complex post-glacial landscapes is challenging due to high spatial variability and the prevalence of bedrock outcrops, which introduce "structural zeros" that violate standard regression modelling assumptions. To address this, we developed a two-part machine learning framework that separates bedrock outcrop classification from continuous depth prediction and applied it to a Swedish case study. The binary classifier effectively distinguished outcrops from sediment-covered areas (AUC = 0.96, F1-score = 0.83), whereas the regression component provided reliable DTB estimates in non-outcrop areas (R-2 = 0.68, RMSE = 5.74 m). The final fused model (R-2 = 0.67, RMSE = 5.80 m) outperformed both the existing national Inverse Distance Weighting interpolation model (R-2 = 0.61, RMSE = 6.61 m) and a global model evaluated over the study area (R-2 = 0.23, RMSE = 9.03 m). The two-part model remains robust in data-sparse regions. However, a depth-stratified uncertainty analysis revealed miscalibration in the uncertainty estimates of the regression component: in shallow ranges (2-15 m), the model overestimates uncertainty and produces overly wide prediction intervals. In deep ranges (> 30 m), it underestimates uncertainty while systematically underpredicts (mean error = 12.44 m). Our findings emphasize that zero-inflated datasets require special consideration in modeling approaches, and that depth-stratified evaluation is essential for understanding model reliability.

Keywords

depth to bedrock; digital soil mapping; quantile regression forest; two-part model; uncertainty visualization; zero-inflated data

Published in

European Journal of Soil Science
2026, volume: 77, number: 2, article number: e70308
Publisher: WILEY

SLU Authors

• Lin, Yiqi

  • Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Westphal, Florian

  • Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Jönköping University

• Lidberg, William

  • Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Ågren, Anneli

  • Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Soil Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ejss.70308

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/146768