Soil classification in New Zealand

Abstract

Soil classification is necessary not only for specialists in soil science who need to relate their findings about soil properties to land users but also for pedologists who need it as a tool for study of soil genesis and for the more practical application of soil survey interpretation. In New Zealand there is a long tradition of involvement of land users and advisers, researchers in natural resources and soil scientists in the use of soil classification particularly the so-called "Genetic Classification" of N.H.Taylor (Taylor, 1948). The proposed new classification of Taylor and Pohlen (1962), "The Technical Classification", was intended to make soil classes more definitive and to provide a better framework for defining classes in an heirarchical scheme, from soil orders down to soil type. It has not replaced Taylor's 1948 classification and has rarely been used. Consequently there is a need to reassess soil classification for New Zealand conditions. In order to achieve this objective it is necessary not only to review the history of soil classification in New Zealand but also to assess the merits of soil classifications developed overseas. Two alternative approaches are possible. Either we adopt some already developed working soil classification from another country or we develop a new or revised scheme selecting the most appropriate concepts (of which there are many) from all sources, at the same time retaining those local concepts which have proved fundamental to New Zealand soil science. At the present time there are in use at least seven modern systems of soil classification each with features which are of interest to New Zealand pedologists. Now is an appropriate time to assess these and to consider adoption of some of the recent developments into a revised New Zealand soil classification.