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Chapter 18: Problem 13

What is the basis of the Soil Taxonomy system? How many soil orders, suborders, great groups, subgroups, families, and series are there?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The Soil Taxonomy system is based on soil properties, formation processes, and distribution patterns. There are 12 soil orders. Each order has various suborders, which are further divided into great groups, subgroups, families, and series. The exact number of these categories varies as they account for local variations.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the Basis of Soil Taxonomy

The Soil Taxonomy system is a taxonomic classification system for soils. It's based on soil properties, formation processes, and distribution patterns. It's primarily used in the United States, but is also applied worldwide.
02

Identifying Soil Orders

Soil orders are the highest level of classification in the soil taxonomy. There are 12 soil orders: Alfisols, Andisols, Aridisols, Entisols, Gelisols, Histosols, Inceptisols, Mollisols, Oxisols, Spodosols, Ultisols, and Vertisols.
03

Detailing Suborders

Each soil order is further divided into suborders. The suborders are based on properties that influence soil forming factors or soil use. There are various suborders in each soil order, hence the total number differs.
04

Explaining Great Groups, Subgroups, Families, and Series

Great groups distinguish soils based on the arrangement of horizons and other developmental characteristics. Each great group is divided into subgroups. The soil family category is used to separate soils based on physical and chemical properties, while the series is used to refine the Soil Taxonomy further, accounting for local variations within a family. As with suborders, the exact number of great groups, subgroups, families, and series varies.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

What are soil colloids? How are they related to cations and anions in the soil? Explain cation-exchange capacity.

Characterize the principal aspects of each soil horizon. Where does the main accumulation of organic material occur? Where does humus form? Explain the difference between the eluviated layer and the illuviated layer. Which horizons constitute the solum?

What is a quick, hands-on method for determining soil consistence?

Why is this true? What are the differences among soil science, pedology, and edaphology?

What former Inceptisols formed a new soil order in 1998 ? Describe these soils as to location, nature, and formation processes. Why do you think they were separated into their own order?
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