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 order, this is the soil order the soil you are classifying.
Decision Tool for Soil Orders
Is the soil man made?
Yes, than it is an Anthroposol
No,
Is the soil typically saturated for 2-months of the year?
Yes, than it is a Hydrosols
No,
Does the soil have significant quantities (>50%) of organic material in the top 10 cm?
Yes, than it is an Organosols
No,
Is the soil Calcareous throughout?
Yes, than it is a Calcarosols
No,
Does the soil have a clay content >35% throughout the solum?
Yes, than it’s a Vertosols
No,
Is the soil well developed with horizons?
No, than its a Rudosols
Yes,
Is then B Horizon dominated by organic or aluminium or iron components?
Yes, than it is a Podsols
No,
Does the soil B horizon have free iron oxides >5% ?
Yes, than the soil is a Ferrosols
No,
Does the soil have a structured B horizon?
No, than it is a Tenosols
Yes,
Does the soil have a textual contrast between the A and B Horizon?
No, Is the B horizon massive in structure?
Yes, than it is a Kandosol
No, than it is a Dermosol
Yes, Is the B horizon strongly acidic?
Yes, than it is a Kurosols
No, Is the B horizon strongly basic (sodic)?
SoilSarah 