Digital Soil Morphometries Brings Revolution to Soil Classification

摘要

Soil classification systems are grouping soils with similar properties. The distinguishing properties are the ones that we are able to observe or measure. As the state of knowledge and the need of users are changing, the definitions should be tested and changes should be accommodated. The recent boom of observation technologies, data storage, and data processing achievements provided new opportunities to predict similarities and differences in soils. The tools of digital soil morphometries are resulting in new parameters and properties and in deriving continuous depth functions. This chapter reviews the criteria of soil parameters and their novel methods for field observation and definition (horizon depth, texture, color, structure, organic matter,mottling, and carbonates). The internationally endorsed soil classification systems could potentially be supported with these new approaches. The review is based on the WRB and is supplemented with an example of predicting soil diagnostic horizons usingdigital soil morphometries. The application of faster, efficient, and more objective measurements can bring revolution to the classification of soils.