soilDB 2.8.7

NEWS.md

@@ -1,6 +1,16 @@
-# soilDB 2.8.7 (2025-01-10)
+# soilDB 2.8.7 (2025-01-16)
  - Several aliases of NASIS physical column names have been deprecated and will be removed in the next minor release (2.9.x). See https://ncss-tech.github.io/AQP/soilDB/bulletins/2025.01-1-soilDB-NASIS-column-aliases.html for details (#369)
-
+ - `fetchVegdata()`
+   - Added `"ecostateid"`, `"ecostatename"`, `"commphaseid"`, `"commphasename`" to columns from `site` and `siteobs` are now joined into `"vegplot"` result.
+   - Fixed  `"site"` join used for `"vegplot"` table result. Now using LEFT join to add `siteecositehistory` information
+   - Sites without vegetation plots are now excluded from the result
+ - `get_vegplot_trhi_from_NASIS_db()` & `get_vegplot_transect_from_NASIS_db()` no longer join to the `pedon` table. Use the `"siteobsiid"` or vegetation plot `"assocuserpedonid"` to join to pedon records when necessary.
+   - This change avoids issues with unintended duplication of records e.g. lab pedons that have multiple pedons per site observation. Thanks to Nathan Roe for suggestion.
+ - `get_vegplot_*()` functions use INNER join to `vegtransect` table where applicable, so records are only returned for vegplots with an associated transect. Thanks to Zach Van Abbema for suggestion.
+ - `createSSURGO()`: more informative error message when no export files found for import
+ - Improved [soilDBdata](https://github.com/brownag/soilDBdata) data sets used for unit tests of `fetchNASIS()` and `fetchVegdata()` when a local NASIS instance is not available
+ - Updated NASIS SoilProfileCollection data sets (`loafercreek`, `gopheridge`, `mineralKing`)
+
 # soilDB 2.8.6 (2024-12-23)
  - `fetchNASIS()` and `get_site_data_from_NASIS_db()` now return Ecological Site State and Community Phase information (ecostatename, ecostateid, commphasename, commphaseid columns) from Site Observation table
  - `createStaticNASIS()` bug fixes