Soil Survey and Classification Quiz

Soil Classification and Taxonomy

• Konstantin Dmitrievich Glinka is credited with organizing soils into groups with similar observable properties based on broad climatic zones.

USDA Soil Survey

• The formal term for the system of classification developed by the USDA Soil Survey is Soil Taxonomy.

Soil Surveys

• The basic sampling unit used in soil surveys is the Pedon.

Soil Individuals

• A Polypedon is an essential soil individual, comprising an identifiable series of soils in an area.

Soil Units

• The smallest volume that can be called a soil is a Pedon.

Soil Taxonomy Categories

• The Order category is the most detailed in Soil Taxonomy.

Purpose of Soil Taxonomy

• The purpose of Soil Taxonomy is to provide a standardized system for communicating and understanding soils.

Soil Orders

• Aridisols are a soil order found in arid regions of the world.
• Entisols exhibit only ephemeral soil development and are largely confined to the surface horizon.

Histosols

• What distinguishes Histosols from other soil types is their high organic matter content.

Clay-Rich Soils

• Vertisols are known for having high clay content and large shrink-swell potential.

Andisols

• What distinguishes Andisols from other soil types is their high content of volcanic glass and minerals.

Mollisols

• Mollisols are characterized by a thick, dark, soft surface and high base saturation.

Ultisols and Alfisols

• Ultisols are defined by their lower base saturation compared to Alfisols.

Spodosols

• Spodosols are characterized by a subsurface horizon with high concentrations of aluminum and iron oxides.