Norwegian Journal of Agricultural Sciences : comparison of different systems for classification of seven podzolized, sandy soils in southern Norway

Abstract

The 1975 and 1992 versions of Soil Taxonomy, the 1988 version of the FAO-Unesco system, and the 1987 version of the Canadian System of Soil Classification were used to classify seven sandy soils with different degrees of podzolization. None of the soils were classified as Spodosols according to the I975 version of Soil Taxonomy, three were classified Spodosols according to the Keys to Soil Taxonomy 1992, five as Podzols according to the FAO-Unesco system and two were classified as Podzolic according to the Canadian system. The exclusion of soils from the Podzol (Spodosol) orders was due to depth or thickness requirements for the podzolic (spodic) horizon. Indexes based on properties of the mineral soil were used to evaluate the degree of podzolization. Cluster analyses of these indexes were used to group the soils. Comparisons between these groups and the different classifications suggested that the difference in soil development were reflected best by the 1992 version of Soil Taxonomy. A cluster analysis based on the upper podzol B subhorizon properties suggested that the difference in podzol development were best reflected by the Canadian classification.