Table 3 Characteristics of variables evaluated as possible SOC predictors

Spectral

Indices: EVI2, WDRVI, SAVI, NDVI, NDWI, VARIG, NDSI, BI, NDMI, NBR, NBR2

30 m

Landsat 8 images—OLI sensor (see Table 1) [57]

Spectral

TOA Brightness Temperature (TBrT)

100 m

Landsat 8 images—TIRS sensor (see Table 1) [57]

Topographical

Elevation, LS Factor, Slope, Orientation

30 m

DEM Ecuador-SNI Ecuador [45]

Climatic

Average annual air temperature, precipitation

-

Interpolations using data of meteorological stations (54 stations belonging to INAMHI and 3 belonging to UNACH)

Geological and soil taxonomic

Geological Unit, Soil Taxonomy

1:50,000

Geology, taxonomy of Ecuador-SNI Ecuador [45]