Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
2
CHAPTER
How Good Is Our Soil Classification?
R. Dudal
CONTENTS
A Taxonomy.....................................................................................................................................11
Making Soil Surveys........................................................................................................................13
Interpretation ....................................................................................................................................14
Approaches for the Future ...............................................................................................................15
References ........................................................................................................................................17
Although the applications of soil science are many, few analyses have been made on the actual
impact of soil classiÝcation on the optimization of land use. The question arises as to whether
sufÝcient use has been and is being made of soil survey and soil classiÝcation. Many feasibility
studies include soil survey information, but it is frequently overlooked in subsequent development
plans. When soils information is sought, data supplied through a medium of soil classiÝcation are
difÝcult to interpret for speciÝc purposes. This situation has been ascribed to inadequate presentation
of results; lack of communication between soil scientists, agriculturists, and economists; difÝculties
with specialized terminology; or lack of interest by planners. One may wonder, however, if the
root cause is more fundamental, and if soil surveys and soil classiÝcation, as currently conceived,
are entirely suitable to serve the needs of potential users.
An assessment of the adequacy of a classiÝcation system has to be made regarding the purposes
for which it has been designed. Soil classiÝcation systems generally aim at establishing a taxonomy,
making soil surveys, serving as a tool for interpretation, and being a means of communication. Can
a single system effectively meet these different objectives? ÑIn any system of classiÝcation, groups
about which the greatest number, most precise and most important statements can be made for the
objective serve the purpose best. As the things important for one objective are seldom important
for another, a single system will rarely serve two objectives equally wellÒ (Cline, 1949).
A TAXONOMY
Taxonomy is that branch of science dedicated to discovering, characterizing, naming, and
classifying objects or organisms so as to understand relationships between them and with the factors
of their formation. Taxonomy is about identiÝcation and recognition, as well as the establishment
