Soil survey and classification

This document provides information on soil classification and taxonomy. It describes the major soil orders including Alfisols, Andisols, Aridisols, Entisols, Gelisols, Histosols, Inceptisols, Mollisols, Oxisols, Spodosols, Ultisols, and Vertisols. It also outlines the USDA soil taxonomy hierarchy from order down to soil series and explains the distinguishing characteristics used at each level such as diagnostic horizons, physical and chemical properties, texture, and consistence.