Re: Soil Taxonomy & Soil Survey Correlation Process

The soil mapping and correlation process as done in the United States generally consists of
delineating mapable segments of the landscape that have differences that affect the use and/or
management of the area. A soil pedon or pedons are selected to represent the dominant soils on the
landscape. These pedons are then classified according to Soil Taxonomy.

When classifying pedons with a range in characteristics that includes more than one taxonomic
classification, we typically would assign the classification based on the most representative values for
the soil. The soils outside the range for the taxonomic class are considered similar soils included in the
mapping. If the differences in the soils that affect the taxonomy also affect the use and management
of the soil a second taxa is typically recognized. We then describe the segment of the landscape or
map unit as including more than one kind of soil (taxa).