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The correlation of Azerbaijan arid soils with WRB-2014

July 2020
EURASIAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE (EJSS) 9(3):202-207

DOI:10.18393/ejss.724698

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Authors:

Amin Ismayilov

Institut soilscience and aqrochemistry of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Baku

Fikrat Feyziyev

Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

The geographical principles are used in grouping of the soils the highest taxonomic standards in the soviet soil scientists works concerning the classification. But the Azerbaijan soil classification is based on genetic profile. Traditionally – topographic, color, climate and so on names are used in this classification, which in the soils genetic types idea is assumed as a basis. The International classification system is identified on the basis of the diagnostic parameters in the field researches and specified as a result of the laboratory analyses. The Azerbaijan soil classification consists of eight taxonomic level and a high taxonomic level is considered- soil class, section, genetic soil type, low soil taxa - soil gender, sort, diversity, row, soil variants. Mainly used central taxon is soil type. An aim of the research is to determine correlative chances of WRB-2015 International soil classification system with the Azerbaijan soil classification. It was detected that a correlation of both soil classifications is possible. The correlation is taken place in different taxon levels. Therefore, the soils were analysed at a type and subtype standard besides high taxas when the soils were correlated. As a result of correlation, it was defined that irrigated meadow-grey soils should be correlated Anthrosols, but meadow-grey soils concerned Calcisols and Gleysols.

Study area (soil pedon distribution and natural color composition) A last version of the Azerbaijan soil classification was printed in 2011 (Babaev et al., 2011). The Azerbaijan soil classification consists of 3 classes, 15 sections, 37 types, 90 subtypes, 146 genders, (species); 388 sorts, 140 diversities, 157 rows, 47 variants. This variety forms large information about the soils and simplifies correlation opportunities. The soil passports (over the types) prepared according to the Azerbaijan soil classification rules and Azerbaijan Soil Map with the scale of 1‫000001׃‬ were used. Soils were classified according to the WRB (FAO, 2015) soil classification systems. Finally, the soil units of WRB were compared with Azerbaijan soil classification based on genetic properties.

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Gleysols (a), Calcisols (c) and Anthrosols (c) of Mugan lowland

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Morphological characteristics of studied pedons

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A. İsmayilov et al. / Eurasian J Soil Sci 2020, 9 (3) 202 - 207

202

The correlation of Azerbaijan arid soils with WRB-2014

Amin İsmayilov, Maharram Babaev, Fikrat Feyziyev*

Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry of Azerbaijan National Academy of Science, AZ10073, Baku, Azerbaijan

Abstract

Article Info

Received : 21.11.2019

Accepted : 11.04.2020

The geographical principles are used in grouping of the soils the highest taxonomic standards

in the soviet soil scientists works concerning the classification. But the Azerbaijan soil

classification is based on genetic profile. Traditionally – topographic, color, climate and so on

names are used in this classification, which in the soils genetic types idea is assumed as a

basis. The International classification system is identified on the basis of the diagnostic

parameters in the field researches and specified as a result of the laboratory analyses. The

Azerbaijan soil classification consists of eight taxonomic level and a high taxonomic level is

considered- soil class, section, genetic soil type, low soil taxa - soil gender, sort, diversity, row,

soil variants. Mainly used central taxon is soil type. An aim of the research is to determine

correlative chances of WRB-2015 International soil classification system with the Azerbaijan

soil classification. It was detected that a correlation of both soil classifications is possible. The

correlation is taken place in different taxon levels. Therefore, the soils were analysed at a type

and subtype standard besides high taxas when the soils were correlated. As a result of

correlation, it was defined that irrigated meadow-grey soils should be correlated Anthrosols,

but meadow-grey soils concerned Calcisols and Gleysols.

Keywords: Correlation, WRB, Anthrosols, Calcisols, classification, meadow-grey soils.

Introduction

Soil classification is a means which have traditional and necessary importance in performing of the scientific

and applied works in connection with the correct and expedient management of the soil productivity and

registration of the soil resources. The soil classification is the form of defining soil diversities and also

expanding of researches and modernization of soil reserves (Lebedeva et al., 2005; Sarmast et al., 2016). It is

also an important instrument in the communication of soil research results at and international levels of soil

science (Zádorová and Penížek, 2011; Rozhkov, 2012). Soil classifications are dynamic systems and their

changes are closely related to the latitude of thought of soil researchers and the level of knowledge about

soils. Yet soil classification principles should remain consistent with the geographical features of territory’s

evolution (Lebedeva and Gerasimova, 2009). There is a special soil researche program in every country some

of them are fulfilled at an economical standard, some at state standard and some at national standard. Two

approaches are available in soil classification establishment classification based on genetics and diagnostics

(Bockheim and Gennadiyev, 2000). The first soil classification was established by the Russia soil scientists and

built on genetic principles according to Dokuchaev΄s soil forming theory (Gerasimova, 2015).

Azerbaijan is one of such regions by its large specter of the horizontal and vertical soil zones more diversity of

the lowest taxons and soil types. The modern soil regime processes are a basis of the Azerbaijan soil

classification by paying attention to soil features and soil forming factors. The Azerbaijan soils classification

was prepared by a genetic-profile principle. The classification taxa diagnostics on the basis of the soil profile

structural characters is given by suggesting of the soils' division on genetic profile and this approach gives a

chance to pay attention to all the natural and anthropogenic changed soils in the single soil classification.

Amin İsmayilov

amin.ismayil@gmail.com

0000-0003-1878-415X

Maharram Babaev

babayev.mp@gmail.com

0000-0001-8337-1701

Fikrat Feyziyev

fikrat.fm@gmail.com

0000-0001-9771-9799

(Corresponding author)

e-ISSN

2147-4249

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.724698

A. İsmayilov et al. / Eurasian J Soil Sci 2020, 9 (3) 202 - 207

203

According to Salaev (1991), an ecological-genetic classification is more separated taxa system than other

classification systems type- subtype-gender-sort. According to this approach the Azerbaijan soil map scaled as

1׃100000 was prepared (1998) and adopted for the soil classification at a country’s standard. As above

mentioned, an available classification system of Azerbaijan soils is characterized regionally and its correlation

to the International soil classification is necessary for participation in the integration process under the

modern globalization condition. As it is known, WRB soil classification system (FAO, 2015) is rather good for a

national classification systems correlation, because the international correlation chances were taken into

account while establishing this system, it is used for the middle and little scaled maps classification very much

(Krasilinikov, 2009). There were efforts by several researchers in a correlation direction of the national soil

classification based on genetic profile for the WRB. One of the main problems is the utilization of the different

analysis methods for definition of the soil diagnostic indications and information shortage causes definite

mistakes during correlation (Reintam and Koster, 2006; Urushadze et al., 2016). Though the Azerbaijan Soil

Resources were investigated before the XX century, since 1945 they were begun to be studied in institutional

form. Factually majority of the methods used in soil analyses is ancient and isn’t used for WRB classification

by International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS). Though there is enough information about Azerbaijan soil

resources for the local use, but its utilization in an international scale is difficult. It makes definite difficulty in

integration to the International Soil Science. The differences and connections between the World Reference

Base for Soil Resources and the Azerbaijan soil classification system were first summarized by Krasilnikov et

al. (2009) who also established correlation keys primarily based on field experiences and the definitions of the

classification units. However, they pointed out that the classes of the two systems cannot match due to their

different approach and methodology. At present, the development of international cooperation in different

sciences, including soil science, poses the problem of the creation of a new soil classification system that

should be based not only on the regional and national classification concepts but also linked with the

internationally accepted soil classification systems (Babaev et al., 2006; Gerasimova, 2015). An increasing

demand for harmonized digital soil information can be observed nowadays. The correlation of national

systems with WRB has got a new priority, as it is necessary for the development of European and global

databases, giving the opportunity to enrich them with more new data (Kabała et al., 2015). The former Soviet

countries mainly used form the classification grounded on genetic profile (Shishov, 2004), last years the

correlation process is performing for the WRB international classification system. In this direction the expert

based, concept based and centroid based methods are mostly used, these methods effectively help the

correlation process (Lang, 2013). The research aim is to investigate a correlation of the Azerbaijan soil

classification to the WRB soil classification and to define their different and unlike characters. As a research

object the meadow grey, irrigated meadow-grey soils which are dominant soil type for the Azerbaijan zone

have been taken.

Material and Methods

The study area was Mugan plain, located the central part of Kur-Araks lowland between 39˚43'18″ N and

39˚44'40″N latitude and 47˚58'14″ and 48˚57'32 E longitude covering an area of 4500 km2. It has an arid

climatic condition and a quantity of the rainfalls is 180-250 mm. Evaporation is between 800-1000 mm.

Annual average temperature changed between 14-15 º C. The arid sone of Azerbaijan characterized with its

agrarian importance and soils mainly used under different agricultural plants such as wheat, barley, cotton,

lucerne and vegetables. The main part of research area is located under sea level for this reason soils

genetically have high risk to salinization. The elevation of the main part of the research area is located under

sea level and changed between -37-50 m. Most of the current topography is a result of post-glacial processes

during the quaternary period. The low elevation areas are mainly covered by alluvial, marine and lacustrine

materials.

The WRB-2014 (2015 update) criteria which were adopted by the world soil scientists were assumed as a

basis. While investigating the correlation opportunities the method (Minasny et al., 2010) based on

conception and Krasilnikov et al. (2009) approaches were used. The last version of the Azerbaijan soil

classification was in 2011 (Babaev et al., 2011) and the main taxa were determined.

45 soil pedons were excavated in the research area. The main soil types are meadow-grey and irrigated

meadow-grey soils. On field checks, the geographical positions of representative soils for each site were

determined by Global Positioning System. The soil profiles were excavated and described according to the

“Guidelines for soil description” (FAO, 2006). Soil samples from different genetic horizons were taken, and

samples were air dried, crushed, and passed through a 2 mm sieve. Pipette method was used for texture

analysis (Gee and Bauder, 1986), Organic matter by Walkley–Black method (Walkley and Black, 1934),

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204

calcium carbonate by calcimetric method (Loeppert and Suarez, 1996), cation exchange capacity by was

defined as sum of exchangeable cations (Bower and Hatcher, 1966), pH and EC by pH-meter and EC-meter.

Figure 1. Study area (soil pedon distribution and natural color composition)

A last version of the Azerbaijan soil classification was printed in 2011 (Babaev et al., 2011). The Azerbaijan

soil classification consists of 3 classes, 15 sections, 37 types, 90 subtypes, 146 genders, (species); 388 sorts,

140 diversities, 157 rows, 47 variants. This variety forms large information about the soils and simplifies

correlation opportunities. The soil passports (over the types) prepared according to the Azerbaijan soil

classification rules and Azerbaijan Soil Map with the scale of 1׃100000 were used. Soils were classified

according to the WRB (FAO, 2015) soil classification systems. Finally, the soil units of WRB were compared

with Azerbaijan soil classification based on genetic properties.

Results and Discussion

The irrigated meadow-grey, meadow-grey soil types which are dominant for the Azerbaijan arid soil zone

were taken in order to investigate the correlation opportunities to the WRB soil classification. Azerbaijan

soil classification were correlated the at a type level and determined the principal soil types paying attention

to the main soil forming character concerning the WRB 2006 version (Babaev, 2018). This process has not

realized in the low taxa. However, one soil type concerns 2 Soil Reference Group (RSG) in the WRB in some

cases. On the other hand, the small taxa which are taken as a diagnostic indication in the Azerbaijan soil

classification aren’t characteristic for the WRB RSG in some cases. Therefore, using of more information is

rather important while performing the WRB correlation process. The Azerbaijan soil classification is

hierarchic structural. The greatest taxon is considered soil class, the smallest taxon is considered a variant.

In general the Azerbaijan classification involves two units system. A high taxonomic level-soil class, section,

genetic soil type. The low soil taxons-soil gender, sort, diversity, row, soil variants paying attention to the

soil fruitfulness ability. Prior to elaboration of the new Azerbaijan soil classification system a complete

systematized list of soils was compiled on the basis of the explication to the soil map of Azerbaijan on a scale

of 1׃100000, which characterizes in detail the spatial distribution of different genetic soil groups (Babayev et

al., 2006). Correlation of the meadow-grey and irrigated meadow-grey soils to the WRB was identified as

Calcisols in the first initiative performed according to the archive materials. A main diagnostic indication in

definition of these soils as an independent soil type is a sign of the oxidation-reduction process which is

formed by subsoil water in the location depth and soil profile. Meadow-grey soil type developed under the

winter pastures in the plain zones. The soil profile thickness is >120 cm. There are two subtypes. The ground

waters in the meadow-grey subtype are situated below 200 cm and oxidation- reduction processes mainly

occur B and C horizons (Babayev, 1984).

Gleying is observed beginning of B layer in the profile as a result of the ground waterseasonal fluctuation in

the meadow-grey soils. The soil profile is calcareous and an average quantity of carbonates is 10,8%. As a

result of the high evaporation CaCO3 or gypsum accumulation on the upper layers is characterized by the

ground waters. The quantity of carbonates on the topsoil changed between 3.8-141.7 g/kg and mean values

is 103.3 g/kg. But within the profile the value of carbonates increased (46.7- 215.8 g/kg). A quantity of

organic substances changes by 1,5-3%, pH -8-9. On the other hand, salinized–solonetzificated process is

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205

characteristic for the soil profile and the dissolved salts are accumulated at 50 cm of depth. These soils

correlate to Haplic Calcisols (Gleyic, Salic). These soils spread in an associated form with the saline soils. A

main characteristic feature of the Calcisols is accumulation of secondary carbonates in the soil profile.

Oxidation-reduction process indications which are created under the groundwater effect are taken into

account at a second level. Though this process was clearly given in the national classification, it was

distinguished in the gender and sort taxa. The main morphological characteristics of characteristic pedons

were given in Table 1. A main characteristic feature in the irrigated meadow–grey soil type is Irragric

horizon formation as a result of the long irrigation and cultivation. The irrigated meadow-gray soils of the

study area have been formed on the Araks river basin. These soils are irrigated by the channels separated

from Araks River. Araks river has high content of mineral and nutritional content. The mineralization of

irrigation water is 560-880 mg/l. Morphological and diagnostic indicators of soil have changed considerably

as a result of irrigation of cultivated areas using these waters.

Figure 2. Gleysols (a), Calcisols (c) and Anthrosols (c) of Mugan lowland

The main reason of formation of pedodiversity on the type level is the changing of soil formation processes.

In this case, it forms the changes in soil taxa and the current taxon’s isn’t enough to describe soil

classification systems in global way (Bockheim and Gennadiyev, 2000).

In any case, guarding of the natural structure is impossible, because majority of the soil is under

anthropogenic impact to some or other degree. Babaev (1984) consolidated such soils in the highest taxa

anthropogenic changed soils class paying attention to the long anthropogenic, especially irrigation impact.

The agroirrigation horizon was formed in the soil profile by the impact of the long irrigation and cultivation

in morphogenetic diagnostics of these soils. Thickness of this layer is more than 50 cm. The soil profile

became dark, humus was washed into the deep layers. The burial state exists in these soils (Figure 2).

Correlation of this soil type to the WRB confirms with the Anthrosols RSG and the Irragric Anthrosols

(Gleyic, Loamic) soils were formed. As is seen the correlation to the WRB occurs in the highest taxon-class

level in this soil type.

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Table 1. Morphological characteristics of studied pedons

Profile

No and

cordinates

Horizon

Depth

Boundary

Colour

Consistency

(moist)

Structure

Effervescence

Texture

Moist

Dry

S13

39º33'02 N

48º36'36 E

0-16

10YR4/3

10YR7/1

Silty-clay

16-30

10YR4/2

10YR7/4

Silty-clay

ABc

30-58

10YR5/4

10YR7/4

VFR

Silty-clay

58-92

10YR4/4

10YR7/3

VFR

Clay

CBz

92-124

10YR5/3

10YR7/2

VFR

Clay

S16

39º26'28 N

48º31'16 E

0-18

10YR5/3

10YR6/4

Silty-clay

18-33

10YR5/3

10YR6/2

Silty-clay

33-57

10YR4/2

10YR7/3

Silty-clay

57-94

10YR5/3

10YR6/3

Silty-clay

94-132

10YR5/3

10YR7/2

Silty-clay

S19

39º40'30

48º38'41 E

0-8

10YR3/2

10YR5/2

VFR

Clay-loam

8-26

10YR3/2

10YR6/2

VFR

Silty-clay-loam

26-49

10YR6/4

10YR7/1

Silty-loam

BCc

49-78

10YR5/4

10YR8/1

Silty-loam

78-109

10YR5/3

10YR8/2

Silty-loam

S20

39º43'35 N

48º33'37 E

0-9

10YR3/2

10YR6/3

Silty-loam

9-30

10YR6/4

10YR8/3

Silty-loam

30-58

10YR6/5

10YR7/4

MFR

Silty-clay-loam

BCg

58-89

10YR5/5

10YR7/3

Silty-clay

89-118

10YR4/3

10YR6/3

Silty

S31

39º36'34 N

48º57'11 E

0-23

10YR6/2

10YR8/2

VFR

Silty-clay-loam

23-49

10YR5/4

10YR7/2

Silty-clay-loam

49-81

10YR5/2

10YR7/3

Silty-clay-loam

BCk

81-114

10YR7/4

10YR8/2

MFR

Silty-clay-loam

S35

39º56'60 N

48º49'22 E

0-20

10YR4/3

10YR6/3

Silty-clay-loam

20-30

10YR4/2

10YR6/2

Loam

30-74

10YR5/3

10YR7/3

VFR

Silty-clay-loam

74-88

10YR4/1

10YR7/1

VFR

Silty-clay-loam

88-126

10YR6/3

10YR8/4

VFR

Silty-clay-loam

S41

39º49'20 N

48º25'30 E

0-26

10YR4/3

10YR8/3

Silty-clay-loam

26-48

10YR4/4

10YR7/3

Silty-clay-loam

ABk

48-76

10YR5/4

10YR7/3

Silt-loam

76-99

10YR4/3

10YR7/4

Silty-clay-loam

BCg

99-138

10YR4/4

10YR8/4

Silt-loam

Boundary: distinctness (A-abrupt, C-clear, G-gradual); topography (S - smooth, W - wavy). Consistency: moist (L- loose, VFR - very

friable, FR- friable, FI- firm, VFI-very firm). Structure: type (AS-angular and subangular block, AB - angular blocky, SB - subangular

blocky, SG-single grain, SA- subangular and angular blocy MA - massive). Effervescence: class (ST - strongly effervescent, MO-

moderately).

Conclusion

The Azerbaijan soil classification is called according to morphology, colour, climate, topographic and so on

and the chemical parameters are characterized diagnostically. Some of the small taxa aren’t used in

correlation. For example, the differentiation isn’t performed in WRB for the soil profile density and cultured

level which include in the small taxon-row and variant. The results showed that the correlation of the low

taxa gender, sort and diversity used in the national soil classification to the WRB is possible. The Azerbaijan

soil classification correlation based on genetic profile can be occurred at different levels. Sometimes

correlation to the WRB does not result positively at a type level and it can conform to the separate Soil

Reference Group at the subtypes level that includes in the type. The soil formation direction is assumed a

basis while the soil types are divided into subtypes in the Azerbaijan soil classification in any case.

Therefore, the correlation is also observed at a subtype level. The smallest taxa conform to the main and

additional qualifications. It is possible to correlate the Azerbaijan soil classification based on genetic profile

to the WRB at a different taxon level paying attention to an analogy of the soil forming process. But there is a

great need for high perceptibility and expert discussion in this problem. While establishing the Azerbaijan

soil classification a great scaled map is assumed as a base map and it is mainly local applied characteristic.

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207

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This paper synthesizes findings from recent studies on the biological dynamics within these ecosystems. The aim of the work is to establish the limits and causes of variability of biological activity of soils in mixed forests of the Greater Caucasus, to identify existing relationships and to display them in the form of mathematical models. The selected Sheki-Zagatala economic region territories that receive the largest number of tourists and have high potential for ecotourism in the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Gakh, Sheki, Oguz and Gabala regions located on the southern slopes of the Great Caucasus Mountains in the territory of the Azerbaijan Republic were selected as the study area. The ecological indicators of the research area were studied. Bioecological studies of modern soil cover are very relevant; young soil scientists can use the results obtained as literary material. The results of the study of the composition of mountain-forest brown soils of the Azerbaijan Republic provide grounds for recommending agrotechnical and soil-protective measures aimed at maintaining, preserving, and, if necessary, recreating the structure of the soil to improve the productivity and yield of agricultural crops. To increase the biological activity of soils, it is necessary to manage their redox potential and density by optimizing the species composition of stands and regulating their density. On forest nurseries, biological activity of soils is increased by liming, balanced application of organic and mineral fertilizers, use of siderates on the correct selection of which the efforts of researchers should be directed. The article shows changes in the amount of carbon dioxide, biomass and phytomass depending on the agrochemical properties of soils

ECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2024

Soil is one of the important factors in the landscape, it is the most fertile layer of the Earth and is estimated as one of the main elements for the development of agriculture. Due to the historical exploitation by different agricultural activities several areas have been impacted by the reduction of the fertile layer of soil covers. However, this problem has grown more recently. The intensification of development in the world, including in Azerbaijan and its regions has led to the loss of the original state of natural ecosystems and their components, changing the ecological environment. The latest variable of these components, but the greatest impact of the loss of fertility on the environment is soil cover. Ecological problems like decreased soil productivity , intensification of the erosion process, acceleration of degradation, and so on highlights the importance of a rational use of soil. Taking this into account the goal of this work was to analyze the importance and the sensitiveness of soil cover to accomplish a rational use as well as ways of protection in the Great Caucasus zone in Azerbaijan. RESUMEN El suelo es uno de los factores importantes en el paisaje, es la capa más fértil de la Tierra y se estima como uno de los ele-mentos principales para el desarrollo de la agricultura. Debido a la explotación histórica por diferentes actividades agrícolas varias áreas se han visto impactadas por la reducción de la capa fértil de las coberturas del suelo. Sin embargo, este pro-blema ha crecido más recientemente. La intensificación del desarrollo en el mundo, incluso en Azerbaiyán y sus regiones, ha llevado a la pérdida del estado original de los ecosistemas naturales y sus componentes, cambiando el entorno ecológico. La última variable de estos componentes, pero el mayor impacto de la pérdida de fertilidad en el medio ambiente es la co-bertura del suelo. Problemas ecológicos como la disminución de la productividad del suelo, la intensificación del proceso de erosión, la aceleración de la degradación, etc. resaltan la importancia de un uso racional del suelo. Teniendo esto en cuenta, el objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar la importancia y la sensibilidad de la cobertura del suelo para lograr un uso racional y formas de protección en la zona del Gran Cáucaso en Azerbaiyán. Palabras clave: Servicios ecosistémicos, sensibilidad del suelo, protección del suelo.

New insights into the Neolithic architecture of the Southern Caucasus: A micromorphological case-study from Mentesh Tepe (middle Kura Valley, Azerbaijan)

Article

Jun 2023
JASR

This paper focuses on the first results of a micromorphological study on the Neolithic architecture from Mentesh Tepe (Azerbaijan), a settlement in the Southern Caucasus occupied during the first half of the 6th-millennium cal. BC. While earthen architecture has already been studied on a macroscopic scale, the use of micromorphology represents an original approach. This research highlights six different assemblages of Mentesh Tepe earthen material preparations, showing a diversity in the manufacturing processes (i.e. the way of preparing the earth, the building techniques, the way of using the earth during the construction) and in the care for the architecture. The well-prepared materials show intense mixing at a wet state with temper added to the composition, while less prepared elements are poorly mixed in a dry state with heterogeneous material. We have identified microscopic features of moulded mudbrick and a unique use of gypsum material for one specific building. From these results based upon the building techniques and material uses we discuss the possible function or status of the structures and the life-cycle of the buildings through time. These results question possible social differences within the Neolithic groups at a site scale. This corpus, while rather small, is the first in the area for Neolithic architecture, and our results only pretend to give a preliminary overview and some ongoing reflection on architectural questions about the first sedentary communities of the Southern Caucasus.

Principles, structure and taxonomic units in the russian and international (WRB) systems of soil classification

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2015

M. I. Gerasimova

Two classification systems under comparison differ in objects, terminology, hierarchical levels, and approaches to identify soils. However, they have some common features: both systems are oriented to soil properties and apply the pedogenetic concepts, on one hand; on the other hand, the results, namely, some of the soil taxonomic units are similar. The second-level units of WRB, representing the classification rather than the reference base, display a certain correlation with the subtype level in the Russian soil classification system. This level in two systems may be qualified as a really active, and it contains the most complete genetic characteristic of a soil; moreover, there is a similarity in criteria for qualifiers in WRB and genetic features (producing subtypes) in the Russian system. The difference between two classification systems is manifested in the number and essence of diagnostic horizons because they perform different functions. In the International system, they mainly serve for recognition of soils (in the key), while they directly identify genetic soil types in the Russian system.

Classification of soils on sediments, sedimentary and andesitic rocks in Georgia by the WRB system

Article

Full-text available

Nov 2016

We used basic soil data of Georgia for testing their effectiveness for correlation with the World Reference Base of Soil Resources (WRB), supported by the project grant “Creation of the national soil atlas of Georgia”(№ FR/191/10-105/14; financed by the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation). In the same way we used the materials elaborated by the international conference on,,Actual problems of soil” classification” during which the WRB was tested in 2014, also supported by the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation and in which known foreign and local soil scientists took part.

Correlation between the Polish Soil Classification (2011) and international soil classification system World Reference Base for Soil Resources (2015)

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2016

The recent editions of the Polish Soil Classification (PSC) have supplied the correlation table with the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB), which is the international soil classification most commonly used by Polish pedologists. However, the latest WRB edition (IUSS Working Group WRB 2015) has introduced significant changes and many of the former correlations became outdated. The current paper presents the closest equivalents of the soil orders, types and subtypes of the recent edition of the PSC (2011) and WRB (IUSS Working Group WRB 2015). The proposals can be used for general correlation of soil units on maps and in databases, and may support Polish soil scientists to establish the most appropriate equivalents for soils under study, as well as make PSC more available for an international society.

New classification system of Russian soils

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2005

In 2004, the second, refined and complemented version of the national soil classification system - Classification and Diagnostics of Russian Soils was published in Russia. The new Russian soil classification system is based on the substantive-genetic principle, i.e., genetically important substantive soil features and properties are taken into account. The second version preserves this principle, as well as the set of criteria used to separate soils at the level of genetic soil type, the central taxon of the system. Practical testing of the new system in soil survey and cartographic works and its discussion with a broad circle of specialists proved the need in several substantial refinements. The second version suggests an expanded list of soil diagnostic horizons and features and a greater number of soil types and subtypes, which makes it possible to have a more adequate representation of the diversity of Russian soils. Diagnostic horizons and features reflect ecologically meaningful soil properties. At the same time, information about the factors of soil formation and soil regimes is not included in the system of soil diagnostics.

Soil Classifications: Their Peculiarity, Diversity and Correlation. Handbook of Soil Terminology

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2009

Guidelines for Soil Description

Article

Comparing Soil Taxonomy (2014) and updated WRB (2015) for describing calcareous and gypsiferous soils, Central Iran

Article

Oct 2016
CATENA

Soil classification is a useful tool for understanding and managing soils. Latest editions of Soil Taxonomy (2014) and WRB (2015) were compared for classification of calcareous and gypsiferous soils of southern Kerman in the present research. Soils along Jiroft-Kahnooj transect with ustic and hyperthermic moisture and temperature regimes were selected. Eleven pedons were described and sampled. Routine physical and chemical analyses were performed and soils were classified according to Soil Taxonomy (2014) and WRB (2015) systems. Calcic, gypsic, anhydritic, salic, argillic (argic), and cambic diagnostic horizons were investigated after field and laboratory work. Based on the findings of the research, it is recommended that new Calciustalfs and Saliustepts great groups and Salic Anhydritic Calciustepts, Salic Calciustepts, Anhydritic Calciustepts, and Anhydritic Saliustepts subgroups are added to Soil Taxonomy (2014) classification system. Anhydritic diagnostic horizon, property, or material and paralithic qualifier were also suggested for WRB (2015) classification system. Calcium carbonate equivalent percentage needed for calcic horizon in WRB (2015) system is suggested to be re-defined as the 2.c required characteristics of calcic horizon in Soil Taxonomy (2014) system. Results of the study showed that WRB (2015) classification system using various qualifiers and specifiers could classify soils of the area, especially saline soils, more efficiently than Soil Taxonomy.

Particle size analysis

Article

Jan 1986

Classiology and soil classification

Article

Mar 2012

V. A. Rozhkov

Classiology can be defined as a science studying the principles and rules of classification of objects of any nature. The development of the theory of classification and the particular methods for classifying objects are the main challenges of classiology; to a certain extent, they are close to the challenges of pattern recognition. The methodology of classiology integrates a wide range of methods and approaches: from expert judgment to formal logic, multivariate statistics, and informatics. Soil classification assumes generalization of available data and practical experience, formalization of our notions about soils, and their representation in the form of an information system. As an information system, soil classification is designed to predict the maximum number of a soil’s properties from the position of this soil in the classification space. The existing soil classification systems do not completely satisfy the principles of classiology. The violation of logical basis, poor structuring, low integrity, and inadequate level of formalization make these systems verbal schemes rather than classification systems sensu stricto. The concept of classification as listing (enumeration) of objects makes it possible to introduce the notion of the information base of classification. For soil objects, this is the database of soil indices (properties) that might be applied for generating target-oriented soil classification system. Mathematical methods enlarge the prognostic capacity of classification systems; they can be applied to assess the quality of these systems and to recognize new soil objects to be included in the existing systems. The application of particular principles and rules of classiology for soil classification purposes is discussed in this paper.

Soil taxonomic distance, a tool for correlation: As exemplified by the Hungarian Brown Forest Soils and related WRB Reference Soil Groups

Article

Jan 2013

This paper discusses the application of taxonomic distance calculations for the correlation of soil units from different soil classification systems.Conceptual and centroid-based methods were tested on the brown forest soil types of the Hungarian Soil Classification System, correlated with the Reference Soil Groups of the World Reference Base for Soil Resources. The results of the distance calculations were compared and evaluated with previous expert based correlation studies.Earlier studies to derive taxonomic distances between soil taxa based on their dominant identifiers were further developed with the introduction of finer coding, and the application for correlation purposes. For the centroid-based approach, values were calculated from legacy laboratory data of different soil properties of the studied soil classes to derive the taxonomic distances.The results of the three different approaches are concordant, but as each method studied has its own limitations, we recommend their joint application. Therefore the methods complement each other and provide a good tool to assist correlation tasks. We found this study very helpful in identifying the shortcomings of certain definitions and the conceptual conflicts within and between systems. The numerical approaches should be applied in the evaluation of current systems in the efforts toward a Universal Soil Classification System.