Approach to Soil Survey and Soil Classification

The purpose of soil survey and classification is to organise observations and knowledge of soils to remember the significant characteristics of soils, establish environmental and associated relationships and to develop principles and guidelines for management. It is imperative that approach to soil survey should be both scientific and practical. Thus in any soil survey, categorical and cartographic details should be abstracted to suit the purpose and provide legend for similar soilscapes. Criteria should be established to associate categoric and cartographic units to reflect soil-plant relationships al lower levels. Taxonomic abstraction at higher levels should be done using criteria already developed and tested when a known system of soil taxonomy is followed.