This decision tree has been designed with the purpose of application with the Australian Soil Classification, which was created by R.F.Isbell. This work takes no credit for the creation of the classification system, it is simply a tool to be used to aid the process of classification. I recommend that any user has access to a copy of the book. Click here to order one online. I am using the 1st addition.
How the use the tool?
Read the questions in italics, than answer yes or no for the soil you are classifying.
Keep answering the questions until you get to a bold soil sub-group, of the soil you are classifying.
Sub-Group Decision Tree Tool
Is there a peaty horizon?
Yes, Is there a thin ironpan under B horizon?
Yes, than it is Peaty-Placic
No, Is the B horizon strongly coherent?
Yes, than it is Peaty-Parapanic
No, than it is Peaty
No,
Is there a Humose horizon?
Yes, Is the B horizon strongly coherent?
Yes, than it is Humose-Parapanic
No, than it is Humose
No, Is there a malacic horizon?
Yes, Is the B horizon strongly coherent?
Yes, than it is Melacic-Parapanic
No, than it is Melacic
No,
Is there a melanic horizon?
Yes, than it is Melanic
No,
Is a denicpan present in the A2 horizon?
Yes, Is the also a ironpan in or below the B horizon?
Yes, than it is Densic-Placic
No, than it is Densic
No,
Is the also a ironpan in or below the B horizon?
Yes, than it is Placic
No
Is there a hard siliceous pan below B horizon?
Yes, than it is Silpanic
No,
Is there a ferric horizon?
Yes, than it is Ferric
No,
Is the B horizon strongly coherent?
Yes, than it is Parapanic
No, than it is Fragic
SoilSarah 