Soil Taxonomy and Soil Survey

Soil ecosystem services (ES) (e.g., provisioning, regulation/maintenance, and cultural) and ecosystem disservices (ED) are dependent on soil diversity/pedodiversity (variability of soils), which needs to be accounted for in the economic analysis and business decision-making. The concept of pedodiversity (biotic + abiotic) is highly complex and can be broadly interpreted because it is formed from the interaction of atmospheric diversity (abiotic + biotic), biodiversity (biotic), hydrodiversity (abiotic + biotic), and lithodiversity (abiotic) within ecosphere and anthroposphere. Pedodiversity is influenced by intrinsic (within the soil) and extrinsic (outside soil) factors, which are also relevant to ES/ED. Pedodiversity concepts and measures may need to be adapted to the ES framework and business applications. Currently, there are four main approaches to analyze pedodiversity: taxonomic (diversity of soil classes), genetic (diversity of genetic horizons), parametric (diversity of soil properties), and functional (soil behavior under different uses). The objective of this article is to illustrate the application of pedodiversity concepts and measures to value ES/ED with examples based on the contiguous United States (U.S.), its administrative units, and the systems of soil classification (e.g., U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Soil Taxonomy, Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database). This study is based on a combination of original research and literature review examples. Taxonomic pedodiversity in the contiguous U.S. exhibits high soil diversity, with 11 soil orders, 65 suborders, 317 great groups, 2026 subgroups, and 19,602 series. The ranking of “soil order abundance” (area of each soil order within the U.S.) expressed as the proportion of the total area is: (1) Mollisols (27%), (2) Alfisols (17%), (3) Entisols (14%), (4) Inceptisols and Aridisols (11% each), (5) Spodosols (3%), (6) Vertisols (2%), and (7) Histosols and Andisols (1% each). Taxonomic, genetic, parametric, and functional pedodiversity are an essential context for analyzing, interpreting, and reporting ES/ED within the ES framework. Although each approach can be used separately, three of these approaches (genetic, parametric, and functional) fall within the “umbrella” of taxonomic pedodiversity, which separates soils based on properties important to potential use. Extrinsic factors play a major role in pedodiversity and should be accounted for in ES/ED valuation based on various databases (e.g., National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) databases). Pedodiversity is crucial in identifying soil capacity (pedocapacity) and “hotspots” of ES/ED as part of business decision making to provide more sustainable use of soil resources. Pedodiversity is not a static construct but is highly dynamic, and various human activities (e.g., agriculture, urbanization) can lead to soil degradation and even soil extinction.

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A Comparative Analysis of a Detailed and Semi-Detailed Soil Mapping for Sustainable Land Management Using Conventional and Currently Applied Methodologies in Greece

Land ◽

10.3390/land9050154 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 154 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Orestis Kairis ◽

Vassiliki Dimitriou ◽

Chrysoula Aratzioglou ◽

Dionisios Gasparatos ◽

Nicholas Yassoglou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Classification ◽

Botanical Garden ◽

Soil Mapping ◽

Classification Systems ◽

Soil Survey ◽

Sustainable Land Use ◽

Soil Taxonomy ◽

Reference Base ◽

World Reference Base ◽

Soil Surveys

Two soil mapping methodologies at different scales applied in the same area were compared in order to investigate the potential of their combined use to achieve an integrated and more accurate soil description for sustainable land use management. The two methodologies represent the main types of soil mapping systems used and still applied in soil surveys in Greece. Diomedes Botanical Garden (DBG) (Athens, Greece) was used as a study area because past cartographic data of soil survey were available. The older soil survey data were obtained via the conventional methodology extensively used over time since the beginnings of soil mapping in Greece (1977). The second mapping methodology constitutes the current soil mapping system in Greece recently used for compilation of the national soil map. The obtained cartographic and soil data resulting from the application of the two methodologies were analyzed and compared using appropriate geospatial techniques. Even though the two mapping methodologies have been performed at different mapping scales, using partially different mapping symbols and different soil classification systems, the description of the soils based on the cartographic symbols of the two methodologies presented an agreement of 63.7% while the soil classification by the two taxonomic systems namely Soil Taxonomy and World Reference Base for Soil Resources had an average coincidence of 69.5%.

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An Environmental Approach to Understanding the Expansion of Future Vineyards: Case Study of Soil Developed on Alluvial Sediments

Environments ◽

10.3390/environments8090096 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (9) ◽

pp. 96

Author(s):

Raimundo Jiménez-Ballesta ◽

Sandra Bravo ◽

Jose Angel Amorós ◽

Caridad Pérez-de-los-Reyes ◽

Jesus García-Pradas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Properties ◽

Soil Type ◽

Salt Content ◽

Organic Matter Content ◽

Matter Content ◽

Soil Survey ◽

Final Conclusion ◽

Soil Taxonomy ◽

Age Related ◽

La Mancha

The importance of soil properties in wine grape production is generally treated as secondary to climate and canopy management. This study was undertaken to characterize and classify a singular soil resource for a vineyard in a traditional viticultural region: Castilla-La Mancha, central Spain. The soil under study was described and sampled using standard soil survey procedures as outlined by FAO, and served as a pedologic window for Gleyic Fluvisol (Calcaric, Humic), according to the FAO System, or Fluventic Haploxerept, according to the Soil Taxonomy System. This soil, developed on alluvial materials of Holocene age related to the Gigüela river (either carbonatic or gypsiferous) has, in addition to obvious hydromorphic features (that reduce its use), high organic matter content (5.5% in the Ap horizon) and moderate salt content (between 1.14 and 2.39 dS/m). Other properties are common to most vineyard soils in Castilla-La Mancha, such as alkaline reactivity (pH between 7.6 and 8.2); calcium and magnesium as the dominant cations followed by sodium and potassium; finally, some deficiency in N (0.11%) and P (12.3 mg/kg). The most restricting soil factors for vineyard growth of this soil type were waterlogging, which can affect vine roots, and the appearance of certain salinity problems. The final conclusion of this study was that the use of the studied soil type for vineyard cultivation could be recommended to farmers only in the case of improving soil properties—for example, draining the river level.

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SPECTRAL REFLECTANCE PROPERTIES OF SOIL TAXONOMY UNITS DOMINANT IN SAQLAWIYAH PROJECT

IRAQI JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES ◽

10.36103/ijas.v48i4.357 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 48 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Al-Juraysi & Al-Obaidy

Keyword(s):

Spectral Reflectance ◽

Image Sensor ◽

Thematic Mapper ◽

Soil Survey ◽

Soil Taxonomy ◽

Space Images ◽

Euphrates River ◽

Using Data ◽

Properties Of Soil

The area under study is located at the lower of resent Mesopotamian plain of Euphrates river, located between longitude 43 35 to 43 35 East and latitude 33 22 to 33 27 North with area (3445.38 ha.) at 169 path and 37 row of Landsat-5 taken by Thematic Mapper image sensor (TM). The space images taken during the year 1985, were used ERDAS V.8.2 and GIS V.9.2 Software. using data of soil survey report.A study show ability of Spectral reflectance to detecting the Aridisols and Entisols and can be also detecting sub- great group at Typic Haplogypsids and Typic Haplosalids taxonomy units appeared to be distinguished and isolated. While there were difficult to detecting and identification between Vertic Torrifluvents and Typic Torrifluvents.

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Major Arable Soils of the Tropics :A Descriptive Grouping Based on Clay Mineralogy

Tropical Soils ◽

10.1093/oso/9780195115987.003.0011 ◽

2003 ◽

Author(s):

Anthony S. R. Juo ◽

Kathrin Franzluebbers

Keyword(s):

Classification System ◽

Clay Mineralogy ◽

Soil Management ◽

Soil Classification ◽

Classification Systems ◽

Soil Survey ◽

Arable Soils ◽

Soil Taxonomy ◽

Detailed Interpretation ◽

The Tropics

Several pedological soil classification schemes have been developed to classify soils worldwide based on morphological features, stage of weathering, and to some extent their chemical and physical properties. Three soil classification systems are commonly used as research and teaching tools in the tropics, namely, the USDA Soil Taxonomy classification, the FAO/UNESCO World Soil Legends, and the French soil classification system. Brazil, the country with the largest land area in the tropics, has its own national soil classification system. However, soil survey, classification, and interpretation are costly and time-consuming, and few countries in the tropics have completed soil maps that are at a scale detailed enough to be useful to farmers and land users. In the absence of soil information at state, county or farm level, the authors propose a simple descriptive grouping of major soils in the tropics based on clay mineralogy to facilitate discussion on soil management and plant production in the subsequent chapters of this book. Reference to the Soil Taxonomy classification will be made when such information is available. It should be pointed out that the main purpose of this technical grouping is to provide field workers, especially those who are less familiar with the various soil classification systems, with a simple framework for planning soil management strategies. It by no means replaces the national and international soil taxonomy and classification systems that are designed for communication among soil scientists and for more detailed interpretation of soil survey data and land-use planning. This technical scheme classifies major arable soils in the tropics into four groupings according to their dominant clay mineralogy. They are • kaolinitic soils • oxidic soils • allophanic soils • smectitic soils Kaolinitic soils are deeply weathered soils with a sand, loamy sand, or sandy loam texture in the surface horizon and a clayey B horizon (20-60%). Silt content is low (< 20%) throughout the profile. Kaolinite (> 90%) is the dominant mineral in the clay fraction. These soils have an effective CEC of less than 12 cmol/kg of clay in the lower B horizon. Kaolinitic soils have a relatively high bulk density, especially in the clayey subsoil horizons (> 1.40 Mg/m3). The structure of the subsoil horizons is usually massive or blocky.

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Application of a very detailed soil survey method in viticultural zoning in Catalonia, Spain

OENO One ◽

10.20870/oeno-one.2009.43.2.803 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 43 (2) ◽

pp. 55 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Josep Miquel Ubalde ◽

Xavier Sort ◽

Rosa Maria Poch

Keyword(s):

Principal Component Analysis ◽

Cluster Analysis ◽

Clustering Analysis ◽

Survey Methodology ◽

Principal Component ◽

Soil Survey ◽

Survey Method ◽

Soil Maps ◽

Soil Taxonomy ◽

Soil Map

Aims: The aim of this study was to implement a very detailed soil survey methodology in 1,243 ha of vineyards in Catalonia (Spain) and analyse its suitability for viticultural zoning.Methods and results: The Soil Taxonomy at series level was used as the basis for classifying soils and delineating soil map units at 1:5,000 scale. A principal component analysis showed that most of the variability of soil properties, which was explained by factors related to water stress, iron chlorosis and vegetative growth, was not reflected exactly in the soil map unit classification. A k-means clustering analysis was proposed in order to group soils according to their potential for vine growing.Conclusion: A very detailed soil survey method, based on Soil Taxonomy, could be used as a basic map for viticultural zoning, when was directed at the differentiation of zones of distinct suitability for vineyard growing, by means of cluster analysis.Significance and impact of study: This study showed how very detailed soil maps, which can be difficult to interpret and put into practice, can be valorised as viticultural zoning maps by means of a simple methodology.

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Serpentine Soil Distributions and Environmental Influences

Serpentine Geoecology of Western North America ◽

10.1093/oso/9780195165081.003.0010 ◽

2007 ◽

Author(s):

Earl B. Alexander ◽

Roger G. Coleman ◽

Todd Keeler-Wolfe ◽

Susan P. Harrison

Keyword(s):

Soil Properties ◽

Soil Classification ◽

Serpentine Soil ◽

Soil Survey ◽

Aluminum Silicate ◽

Serpentine Soils ◽

Soil Taxonomy ◽

Parent Materials ◽

Exchange Complex ◽

Cation Status

Serpentine soils occur in all but one of the twelve orders (Alexander 2004b), which is the highest level in Soil Taxonomy (Soil Survey Staff 1999), the primary system of soil classification utilized in this book (appendix C). They occur in practically every environment from cold arctic to hot tropical and from arid to perhumid (always wet). Thus the variety of serpentine soils is very great even though they occupy only a small fraction of the earth. Serpentine soils have been found in all states and provinces that are adjacent to the Pacific Ocean from Baja California to Alaska. They are most concentrated in the California Region, where they have been mapped in 34 counties in California and in 5 counties in southwestern Oregon. Serpentine lateritic (or “nickel laterite”) soils, which have not been mapped separately from other soils, are economically significant in California and southwest Oregon, even though they are not widely distributed in western North America. A representative serpentine soil is shown in figure 6-1. Serpentine soils, or soils in magnesic (serpentine) families, are represented in 11 of the 12 soil orders. Spodosols and Histosols in magnesic families occur only where there is a thin cover of nonserpentine materials over the serpentine materials, and there are no serpentine Andisols. Andisols contain amorphous and poorly ordered aluminum-silicate minerals, which are responsible for andic soil properties of these soils. Serpentine soil parent materials do not contain enough aluminum for the development of andic soil properties that are definitive of Andisols. Alfisols are soils with argillic (or natric) horizons having more than 35% exchangeable bases (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, and K+) on the cation exchange complex. Al3+ and H+ are the common nonbasic (acidic) cations on the exchange complex. The Mg2+ that serpentine soil parent materials release upon weathering keeps the basic cation status of soils high, unless they are leached intensively. Some of the soil horizon sequences are A-Bt, A-Btn, and A-Bt-Btk in Alfisols. Soils of Dubakella Series and other moderately deep Mollic Haploxeralfs with a mesic soil temperature regime are the most extensively mapped serpentine Alfisols in California and southwestern Oregon. Figure 6-1 is representative of the Mollic Haploxeralfs.

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Effects of agriculture on the classification of Black soils in the Midwestern United States

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/cjss2010-018 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 92 (3) ◽

pp. 403-411 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Jessica J. Veenstra ◽

C. Lee Burras

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Laboratory Data ◽

Soil Classification ◽

Current Data ◽

Soil Survey ◽

Soil Taxonomy ◽

Midwestern United States ◽

Reference Base

Veenstra, J. J. and Burras, C. L. 2012. Effects of agriculture on the classification of Black soils in the Midwestern United States. Can. J. Soil Sci. 92: 403–411. Soil surveys are generally treated as static documents. Many soil survey users assume that pedon data generated 30 to 50 yr ago still represents today's soil, as short-term changes in soil properties are perceived to be limited to the soil surface and thus pedologically insignificant. In this study, we re-sampled and re-analyzed 82 pedons with historical descriptions and laboratory data in Iowa, United States, to evaluate changes in soil profile properties and taxonomic classification after approximately 50 yr of agricultural land use. Using historical and current data, we classified sampled pedons using Canadian Soil Taxonomy, US Soil Taxonomy and the Food and Agriculture Association World Reference Base (FAO-WRB). Our results show that soil characteristics have changed significantly enough to change the classification. In each taxonomic system, the classification of 60% or more of the sampled pedons differed from the original. Classification of 15 to 32% of the sampled pedons changed at the Order (or equivalent) level with 11 to 33% of the pedons originally classified as Black soils – Mollisols, Chernozems or Phaeozems – no longer classified as Black soils. The change in soil classification over such a short-time period challenges the validity and usefulness of treating existing soil maps as static documents as well as traditional soil classification hierarchies.

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Soil survey and land capability evaluation for sustainable crop production in Abocho, Dekina local government area of Kogi state

10.36265/njss.2021.310203 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 16-24

Author(s):

Adesemuyi E. A. ◽

Ichigboja David ◽

Chukwu G. O. ◽

Olayinka Ojetade

Keyword(s):

Local Government ◽

Crop Production ◽

Sandy Loam ◽

Local Government Area ◽

Soil Survey ◽

Loamy Sand ◽

Soil Reaction ◽

Soil Taxonomy ◽

Land Capability ◽

Sustainable Crop Production

A survey of soils of Abocho, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, was conducted to characterize, classify and assess the potentials of the soils for sustainable crop production. The area was reconnoitered and three representative profile pits were dug and described according to international procedures and standard methods. Soil samples were analyzed for their physical and chemical properties and the land was assessed for its capability to produce commonly cultivated crops. Results revealed well-drained and deep soils. Texture showed loamy sand overlying sandy loam except few portions with loamy sand throughout the profile depth. Soils were very strongly - strongly acid (4.5-5.5) with very low (subsurface) to moderate (surface) organic carbon (5.25-14.21gkg-1). Available phosphorous was moderate (8.93-16.42 mgkg-1). There were generally low exchangeable bases and cations exchange capacity (CEC) values ranging from 2.67 to 6.05 cmolkg1. Typic Psammustepts and Typic Kandiustalfs were identified, based on the USDA soil Taxonomy and were correlated as Fluvisols and Lixisols respectively in World Reference Base. Land capability classification rated 67 % of the land area moderate (III) for arable crop production and 33 % for non-arable (V) with soil reaction and high sand fraction as constraints. Since the soils were low in fertility and highly acidic, the judicious use of lime and full complements of organic manure and fertilizers are recommended.

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Mapping and classification of a 100 hectare land at uzanu community, Edo state, Nigeria.

10.36265/colsssn.2020.4405 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 31-39

Author(s):

Lucky Agbogun ◽

Umweni A.S. ◽

Kadiri O.H ◽

Faith Okunsebor

Keyword(s):

Soil Classification ◽

Research Area ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Soil Survey ◽

Survey Method ◽

Soil Taxonomy ◽

Mapping Unit ◽

Mapping Process ◽

Edo State

This study was carried out at Uzanu Community in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State to identify some of the major soils of the project area, through a soil mapping process. The methodology involved mapping of the soils of a 100 hectare land using the rigid grid soil survey method at a detailed scale. Four mapping units were delineated from the ten transects of 100 m apart and 100 m interval examination points along transects which gave a total of 84 auger points. Four representative pedons were sunk, described and sampled. Soil samples were analyzed using standard methods. Soils were classified according to USDA soil taxonomy System of Soil Classification. Series classification was locally defined using guidelines provided by Smyth and Montgomery. The results showed that Pedon 1 representing a mapping unit with area coverage of 14.2 hectares or 14.2 % of the entire research area was classified as Loamy Isohyperthermic Typic Plinthudult and locally as Origo series. The soils of mapping unit two, covering an area of 13.2 hectares or 13.2 % were classified as Loamy Isohyperthermic Ruptic-Ultic-Dystrudept and locally as Origo series. Pedon three soils, covering an area of 38 hectares or 38 % were classified as Loamy Isohyperthermic Typic Plinthudult and locally as Origo series while the soils of mapping unit four represented by pedon four, covering an area of 34.7 hectares or 34.7 % were classified as Coarse Loamy Isohyperthermic Ruptic-Ultic-Dystrudept and locally as Ekiti series.

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