ABSTRACT
The soil classification of South Africa is a regional system (Soil Classification Working Group, 1991). It is aimed at soil mapping at various scales. Also, like most soil classifications, it gives the state-of-the-art of research on soil genesis and properties in South Africa. Though this classification has much in common with many other classifications, it has a unique structure (dimeric table) and specific terminology, which make it difficult to use outside the country. Since the classification is agriculture-oriented, it does not include ‘exotic’ bodies like urban soils, underwater soils, mine waste materials and so forth (Table 30.1). The scope of the South African soil classification
|
Superficial bodies |
Representation in the system |
|---|---|
|
Natural soils |
National coverage |
|
Urban soils |
Not recognized as soils deposits |
|
Man-transported materials |
One soil form, Witbank, includes man-made deposits |
|
Bare rock |
Not recognized as soils |
|
Subaquatic soils |
Not recognized as soils |
|
Soils deeply transformed by agricultural activities |
Classified as if they are natural soils |
