137

Division: SSSA Division: Pedology

Title: Fundamental Changes in Soil Taxonomy: II (includes student competition)

Organizers: Mark Stolt and Brian A. Needelman
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Format: Poster Topical Session
Keywords: PedologySoil SurveySoil Taxonomy

Session Description: The first working Soil Taxonomy document was distributed in 1960 as the 7th Approximation with nomenclature appearing in soil surveys by 1965.  Over the last 50 years, the size and complexity of Soil Taxonomy has increased.  Is bigger always better? Does our approach of tackling one taxonomic issue at a time maintain Soil Taxonomy as an efficient and functional classification system? Our goal is to have a taxonomic system that is "A basic system for making (and interpreting) soil surveys". Is it a "basic system" any longer? This symposium will address questions regarding fundamental definitions, framework, and concepts of Soil Taxonomy and provide a forum for suggestions.

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