ABSTRACT
The German soil classification has a morpho-genetical approach. Its aim is to order soils into natural groups for a better understanding of soil genesis and geography, for education, and for soil mapping at various scales (Ad-hoc-AG Boden, 2005). The current German classification was developed since the 1950s and was strongly influenced by the classification of Kubiëna (1953). Kubiëna’s classification divided soils according to their water regime in a broad sense (terrestrial, hydromorphous and subaquatic soils); the terrestrial soils were arranged according to their stage of development. Traditionally, the German classification includes shallow underwater soils as equal objects (Table 9.1). Anthropogenic soils deeply transformed by cultivation are included as separate taxa. Urban soils and technogenic or transported materials are not included in the classification itself; however, the German soil science school has a rich tradition of classifying urban and technogenic soils (e.g. Blume, 1989) which are used apart from the main official classification. Additionally, the German substrate classification offers a detailed classification of technogenic materials (Ad-hoc-AG Boden, 2005). The scope of the German soil classification
|
Superficial bodies |
Representation in the system |
|---|---|
|
Natural soils |
National coverage |
|
Urban soils |
Not included in the soil classification; separate classifications of urban soils exist; technogenic material classified by the substrate classification |
|
Man-transported materials |
Not included in the soil classification; separate classifications of urban soils exist; transported materials classified by the substrate classification |
|
Bare rock |
Not recognized as soils |
|
Subaquatic soils |
Included in the special branch of Semi-subaquatic and subaquatic soils (Semisubhydrische und Subhydrische Boden) |
|
Soils deeply transformed by agricultural activities |
Included in the classes of Anthropogenic terrestrial soils (Terrestrische Kultosole) and Anthropogenic peat soils (Erd- und Mulmmoore); a separate classification of cultivated peats exists (Kultivierte Moore) |
