12/30/2016
In 2015 the Soil Science Society of America
established a task force to develop
fundamental changes in Soil Taxonomy
Mark Stolt, Univ. of Rhode
Island (chair)
Brian Needelman, Univ. of
Maryland (co-chair)
Dylan Beaudette, NRCS
Patrick Drohan, Penn
State
John Galbraith, Virginia
Tech
Jonathan Hempel, retired
NRCS
Challenges to Making Fundamental Changes to Soil
Taxonomy: Soil Moisture Regime as an Example
Mark H. Stolt
Chairman SSSA Task Force to Make Fundamental
Changes to Soil Taxonomy
“For the system is an
organism that has
developed into a
monster, albeit a benign
one, that finds itself in
an alien environment.
Further development
along its path is not
possible, it has come to
the end of it
evolutionary path”
(Webster, 1968;
Fundamental
objections to the 7th
Approximation).
Complicated
David Lindbo, NRCS
Curtis Monger, NRCS
Anthony O'Geen, Univ.
of California-Davis
Marty Rabenhorst, Univ.
of Maryland
Mickey Ransom, Kansas
State
Joey Shaw, Auburn
Mollic epipedon: Moist Munsell color of 3/3 or darker and dry
color value of 5 or less. Thickness is at least 18 cm and one-third of
the depth from the soil surface to the lower boundary of the
diagnostic subsurface horizon if that depth is <75 cm. Otherwise, at
least 25 cm thick. Base saturation >50% and SOC content at least
0.6%.
350
300
Increase in Inceptisol
subgroups between
1975 and 2010
250
200
150
100
1970
1996
1980
1990
2000
2010
2020
1983
Keys to Soil Taxonomy
1
12/30/2016
Task Force Objective: create a system that is less
complicated, more user-friendly, and that can serve as an
effective and engaging tool for the soil science community
to reach other disciplines and communities that use soils
information.
Task Force Objective: create a system that is less
complicated, more user-friendly, and that can serve as an
effective and engaging tool for the soil science community
to reach other disciplines and communities that use soils
information.
?
We are not proposing
changes to the general
architecture of Soil
Taxonomy, but rather
suggesting fundamental
changes in definitions,
criteria, concepts, and
format (what is
emphasized within each
category).
What are the Road Blocks?
Old School Thoughts
“this is how we have been doing things for the last 50 years”
A renaissance in Soil Taxonomy or;
Recalcitrance of Soil Taxonomy
The Fear of Implementation
The future of our science vs the cost to implement changes
Challenges: How do we:
• simplify the document but not lose the valuable
information that is held within each taxa?
• solicit nationwide and international input?
• harmonize meanings across the hierarchy?
• build an engaging tool for the soil science community?
• make changes without negatively effecting existing
NCSS mapping products?
• complement the concepts used in other soil
taxonomic systems (specifically the WRB)?
• recreate a system that serves the dual purposes of
assessing the potential and limitations of the soil
resource and as a classification system?
• build support to see that proposals go from concepts
to reality?
What’s the Process?
1) Initially decide what fundamental changes to
consider
2) Prioritize to decide which changes to develop
proposals first
3) Further debate and formulate priority proposals
being considered
4) Survey soil science community to assess interest in
specific changes and issues
5) Distribute proposal to those interested for
comments and assessment
6) Review comments and suggestions and revise
proposals
2
12/30/2016
Proposed changes on the “front-burner”
•
•
•
•
•
Searchable OSD database
Redefine kandic horizon criteria
Redefine mollic epipedon criteria
Create a wet soil order (Aquasols)
Consistently applied definitions and terminology
for Organic Soil Materials
• Move soil moisture regime (except Aquic) to family
level
• Combine Ultisols and Alfisols into a single order
(Argisols?)
• Simplify family particle size control sections and
classes (need ideas)
Aquic discarded
for analysis
What do you replace the moisture regime
formative elements with?
Sulfudepts
Durixerepts
Suborder essentially two choices: wet or not wet
Durustepts
Durudepts
Fragixerepts
Calciustepts
Fragiudepts
Humixerepts
Ustepts
Udepts
Xerepts
Humustepts
Humudepts
Calcixerepts
Dystrustepts
Dystrudepts
Haplustepts
Format Major Mod.
Element interp interp
Aqu
(wetland) X
Arg
X
Camb
X
Sal/Hal
X
Moll
X
Lithic
X
Calci
X
Dur
X
Gyps
X
Rend
X
Vitri
X
Acr
X
Kand
X
Melan/Fu
X
lv
Minor
Parent Diagnos Clarify Proposed Ra
interp Genetic Material Horizon prop Hierarchy nk
X
Yes
Yes
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Yes
Yes
Yes
X
X
X
Yes
Yes
X
X
X
X
X
O
O/SO
O/SO
O/SO
O/SO
SO
SO
SO
SO
SO
SO
SO
SO
SO
1
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Format Major Mod.
Element interp interp
Eutrudepts
Dystroxerepts
Haploxerepts
Minor
Parent Diagnos Clarify Proposed Ra
interp Genetic Material Horizon prop Hierarchy nk
Plac
Sulfi/Sulf
o
Umbr
Fluv
Hum
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Psamm
Fragi
Natr
Plinth
Aqu
(nonwetland)
Dystr/Eut
r
Albic
X
X
X
X
X
X
SO
3
X
X
SO
SO
SO/GG
SO/GG
3
3
4
4
SO/GG
SO/GG
SO/GG
SO/GG
4
4
4
4
Yes
Yes
Someti
mes
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Someti
mes
X
Yes
X
X
X
X
X
SO/GG/
5
SG
SO*/GG
5
/SG
GG/SG 6
3
12/30/2016
Format Major Mod.
Element interp interp
Minor
Parent Diagnos Clarify Proposed Ra
interp Genetic Material Horizon prop Hierarchy nk
Durixerepts
Sulfudepts
Durustepts
Fragixerepts
Abrupt
texture
change
Endo/Epi
Gloss
Pale
Quartz
Somb
Verm
Anthr
Ferr
Fragloss
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
?
X
Someti Someti
mes
mes
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Yes
X
Durudepts
Calciustepts
Humixerepts
X
X
X
X
X
GG/SG
GG/SG
GG/SG
GG
GG
GG
GG
SG
SG
SG
6
6
6
7
7
7
7
8
8
8
Ustepts
Humustepts
Xerepts
Fragiudepts
Udepts
Calcixerepts
Humudepts
Dystroxerepts
Eutrudepts
Dystrustepts
Haplustepts
Haploxerepts
Dystrudepts
Sulfepts—Calcepts—Durepts—Fragepts—Humepts—Eutrepts—Dystrepts
In this approach diagnostic properties are emphasized at the suborder
level.
But what do you do now at the great group and subgroup level?
Feb 20th
Feb 27
Hi A.
Mark
We are continuing to work on the fundamental changes to Soil
Taxonomy.
If you get a second check out our Wiki site.
http://casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/wiki/SoilTaxonomyTaskForce
We are trying to get those outside the taskforce engaged in our
efforts.
Any thoughts on how to let the international community know
what is going on.
Quite an impressive list of ideas and changes you have proposed. An
arduous task to make fundamental changes with minimal effect on
NCSS products. I like the idea of making it more user friendly (much
can be done about the language, insertions of decision trees, clear
Booleans). There should be more guidance on decision making in the
absence of data so as to understand SMRs or BS% that have
implications at high levels. I struggle most with the idea that we have
extensive areas of Mollic Hapludalfs and Typic Argiudolls – and they
differ minimally. There are various other examples. In the rationale for
the use of Soil Taxonomy you may wish to include the fact that ST use
is problematic and inundated with factorial info.
Thanks.
Best wishes,
Mark
A.
March 3
Hi A.
Three days later----March 3
I guess if you want folks to make inputs, you
need to respond to their emails!!!
A.
Thanks for your suggestions.
This is a task force that is proposing the changes, so it is more
than Brian and I working on the project. There are actually 12
of us. Anyway, making one decision or approving a single
change is even difficult. As such, I could respond to your email,
but it wouldn't mean much because the others might not
agree.
We really do appreciate your ideas and suggestions, so please
don't feel we are ignoring you. I keep copies of all the
suggestions I have received. There are lots of things to think
through for the task force.
Mark
4
12/30/2016
March 4
What have we learned so far?
Hi Mark,
I guess a problem with soil classification progress is well
summarized “it wouldn't mean much because the others might not
agree”. I hope that doesn’t reflect all of your effort.
Always happy to talk.
A.
• Everyone has the same goals--to have an
effective soil classification system, but NOT
everyone is going to agree how to do it or even if
we should do it!!
• Things take time to work through, we need to be
patient and work through all of the challenges!!!
• We need to keep the big picture in mind--individual soil issues can be addressed in time.
• Your input, thoughts, and ideas are valued and
needed!
Proposed changes on the “front-burner”
• Redefined mollic epipedon criteria
• Change kandic horizon criteria
• Consistently applied definitions and terminology for
Organic Soil Materials
• Move soil moisture regime (except Aquic) to family level
[email protected]
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