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Soil Taxonomy and Regional Land Use Interpretations for Ohio
Author(s) -
Olson K. R.,
Wilding L. P.,
Hall G. F.
Publication year - 1980
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/sssaj1980.03615995004400050039x
Subject(s) - usda soil taxonomy , categorical variable , taxonomy (biology) , land use , taxonomic rank , soil series , generalization , soil classification , biological classification , soil map , geography , soil science , mathematics , ecology , soil water , environmental science , statistics , biology , taxon , mathematical analysis , evolutionary biology
Soil Taxonomy provides for interpretations at each of the categorical levels; order, suborder, great group, subgroup, family and series, plus their phases. The potential for interpretations is best at the series level, but is feasible at higher categories. Categorically and cartographically generalized maps with percent compositions between 56 and 76% were prepared for Ohio. Once these maps were prepared it was possible to develop interpretations for each level of generalization by (i) assembling all the physical environmental data available for the area, (ii) applying the differentiae and covariant phenomena of soil taxonomic terms associated with the soil classification at the higher taxonomic levels, (iii) analyzing the existing land use and its associated limitations and suitabilities, and (iv) predicting the response of soil in similar taxonomic classes to alternative land uses. The taxonomic system does permit the separation of single factor criteria which in themselves are pertinent to interpretations and planning decisions. Two such soil properties that are reflected at high categorical levels include potential for saturated upper soil horizons (aquic suborders) and fragipans (fragi great groups) as diagnostic subsurface criteria.