Dominant Soil Orders
SOIL TAXONOMY and Soil Orders
All of the keys in Soil Taxonomy are designed in such a way that the user can determine the correct classification of a soil by going through the keys systematically. The user must start at the beginning of the “Key to Soil Orders” and eliminate, one by one, all classes that include criteria that do not fit the soil in question. The soil belongs to the first class listed for which it meets all the required criteria. In classifying a specific soil, the user of soil taxonomy begins by checking through the "Key to Soil Orders" to determine the name of the first order that, according to the criteria listed, includes the soil in question.
The next step is to go to the page indicated to find the “Key to Suborders” of that particular order. Then the user systematically goes through the key to identify the suborder that includes the soil, i.e., the first in the list for which it meets all the required criteria. The same procedure is used to find the great group class of the soil in the “Key to Great Groups” of the identified suborder. Likewise, going through the “Key to Subgroups” of that great group, the user selects as the correct subgroup name the name of the first taxon for which the soil meets all of the required criteria.
The family level is determined, in a similar manner, after the subgroup has been determined. The family, however,
typically has more than one component, and therefore the entire chapter must be used. The keys to control sections for classes used as components of a family must be used to determine the control section before use of the keys to classes.
To view or download a pdf file of the first edition of "Soil Taxonomy", click Soil Taxonomy, 1st Edition, 1975.
To view or download historical versions of "Soil Taxonomy", the KEYS, or other realted files, click HERE
For more information about the U.S. Soil Classification System and to view or download "Soil Taxonomy, 2nd Edition, 1999." click HERE.
To download or order a hard copy of the latest version of "Soil Taxonomy, 2nd Edition, 1999", click HERE.
For more information about the history of soil taxonomic committees, click HERE.
Dominant Soil Orders
SOIL TAXONOMY and Soil Orders
All of the keys in Soil Taxonomy are designed in such a way that the user can determine the correct classification of a soil by going through the keys systematically. The user must start at the beginning of the “Key to Soil Orders” and eliminate, one by one, all classes that include criteria that do not fit the soil in question. The soil belongs to the first class listed for which it meets all the required criteria. In classifying a specific soil, the user of soil taxonomy begins by checking through the "Key to Soil Orders" to determine the name of the first order that, according to the criteria listed, includes the soil in question.
The next step is to go to the page indicated to find the “Key to Suborders” of that particular order. Then the user systematically goes through the key to identify the suborder that includes the soil, i.e., the first in the list for which it meets all the required criteria. The same procedure is used to find the great group class of the soil in the “Key to Great Groups” of the identified suborder. Likewise, going through the “Key to Subgroups” of that great group, the user selects as the correct subgroup name the name of the first taxon for which the soil meets all of the required criteria.
The family level is determined, in a similar manner, after the subgroup has been determined. The family, however,
typically has more than one component, and therefore the entire chapter must be used. The keys to control sections for classes used as components of a family must be used to determine the control section before use of the keys to classes.
To view or download a pdf file of the first edition of "Soil Taxonomy", click Soil Taxonomy, 1st Edition, 1975.
To view or download historical versions of "Soil Taxonomy", the KEYS, or other realted files, click HERE
For more information about the U.S. Soil Classification System and to view or download "Soil Taxonomy, 2nd Edition, 1999." click HERE.
To download or order a hard copy of the latest version of "Soil Taxonomy, 2nd Edition, 1999", click HERE.
For more information about the history of soil taxonomic committees, click HERE.