ABSTRACT
A new classification of the soils of the Russian Federation (Shishov et al, 2004) was made to replace the older taxonomic system used in the Soviet Union (Egorov et al, 1977). Initially planned as a tool for soil survey in the country, ironically, it was published when Russian Giprozems (State Project Institutes for Land Resources) practically stopped soil survey. These institutes were transformed into commercial enterprises mainly focused on the arranging of land ownership documentation, and the soil survey divisions were closed. Currently the new classification of Russian soils has a strange status: it is published, but not approved as an official one for Russia because there are no institutions that can approve it. Due to this undefined status of the classification, it is not included as obligatory material in university courses on soil science. It is included in some university courses by a decision of the departments, or particular professors. According to an on-line survey organized by the Faculty of Soil Science of Moscow State University, less than 20 per cent of university scientists and students use the new classification in their work.
