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An Experiment in the Numerical Classification of Some Kansas Soils
Author(s) -
Bidwell O. W.,
Hole F. D.
Publication year - 1964
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1964.03615995002800020039x
Subject(s) - soil water , weighting , similarity (geometry) , bates , numerical analysis , mathematics , soil science , environmental science , computer science , engineering , artificial intelligence , mathematical analysis , medicine , image (mathematics) , radiology , aerospace engineering
Thirty soil characteristics were used to calculate numerical indices of similarity for 29 Kansas soils. The indices varied from 90 for Ladysmith and Irwin soils (100 = perfect similarity) to 34 for Bates and Colby. In general, the numerical classification substantiated the present classification and the concepts of these soils and their interrelationships. This experiment suggests that the numerical classification of soils, like that of plants, animals, and insects, is possible. The necessary information for this kind of analysis is available for many of our soils. The major obstacle appears to be the selection and weighting, if any, of the characteristics to be considered. Once the characteristics are selected, the determination of numerical relationships is objective and repetitive.