Selected Taxonomic Unit Descriptions

The taxonomic unit descriptions linked below are from published soil surveys. All of the descriptions underwent intensive technical and editorial review at the time of publication. Variations may occur between like-named series due to changes in taxonomy over time and differences in local conditions. In some cases, the typical pedon in a description may be located outside of the specified survey area.

Taxonomic Unit Descriptions by Survey Area

Taxonomic Unit Descriptions by Name (A-L)
Taxonomic Unit Descriptions by Name (M-Z)

Classification of the Soils

The system of soil classification used by the National Cooperative Soil Survey has six categories (Soil Survey Staff, 1999 and 2003). Beginning with the broadest, these categories are the order, suborder, great group, subgroup, family, and series. Classification is based on soil properties observed in the field or inferred from those observations or from laboratory measurements. The categories are defined in the following paragraphs.

ORDER.  Twelve soil orders are recognized. The differences among orders reflect the dominant soil-forming processes and the degree of soil formation. Each order is identified by a word ending in sol. An example is Alfisol.

SUBORDER.  Each order is divided into suborders primarily on the basis of properties that influence soil genesis and are important to plant growth or properties that reflect the most important variables within the orders. The last syllable in the name of a suborder indicates the order. An example is Udalf (Ud, meaning humid, plus alf, from Alfisol).

GREAT GROUP.  Each suborder is divided into great groups on the basis of close similarities in kind, arrangement, and degree of development of pedogenic horizons; soil moisture and temperature regimes; type of saturation; and base status. Each great group is identified by the name of a suborder and by a prefix that indicates a property of the soil. An example is Hapludalfs (Hapl, meaning minimal horizonation, plus udalf, the suborder of the Alfisols that has a udic moisture regime).

SUBGROUP.  Each great group has a typic subgroup. Other subgroups are intergrades or extragrades. The typic subgroup is the central concept of the great group; it is not necessarily the most extensive. Intergrades are transitions to other orders, suborders, or great groups. Extragrades have some properties that are not representative of the great group but do not indicate transitions to any other taxonomic class. Each subgroup is identified by one or more adjectives preceding the name of the great group. The adjective Typic identifies the subgroup that typifies the great group. An example is Typic Hapludalfs.

FAMILY.  Families are established within a subgroup on the basis of physical and chemical properties and other characteristics that affect management. Generally, the properties are those of horizons below plow depth where there is much biological activity. Among the properties and characteristics considered are particle-size class, mineralogy class, cation-exchange activity class, soil temperature regime, soil depth, and reaction class. A family name consists of the name of a subgroup preceded by terms that indicate soil properties. An example is fine-loamy, mixed, active, mesic Typic Hapludalfs.

SERIES.  The series consists of soils within a family that have horizons similar in color, texture, structure, reaction, consistence, mineral and chemical composition, and arrangement in the profile.

The taxonomic unit descriptions indicate the order, suborder, great group, subgroup, and family of the soil series.

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