The Canadian system of soil classification at the order, great group, and subgroup levels is tabulated alphabetically according to the names of the orders. For each subgroup the abbreviation of the name is appended.

Photographs of some subgroup profiles are shown in Figures 4-27.

Figure 4: Orthic Melanic Brunisol, Ontario

Figure 5: Eluviated Eutric Brunisol, British Columbia

Figure 6: Eluviated Dystric Brunisol, Saskatchewan

Figure 7: Orthic Brown Chernozem, Alberta

Figure 8: Orthic Black Chernozem, Alberta

Figure 9: Orthic Eutric Turbic Cryosol, Northwest Territories

Figure 10: Brunisolic Dystric Static Cryosol, Northwest Territories

Figure 11: Glacic Organic Cryosol, Northwest Territories

Figure 12: Orthic Humic Gleysol, Ontario

Figure 13: Rego Gleysol, peaty phase, Ontario

Figure 14: Fera Gleysol, Ontario

Figure 15: Orthic Gray Brown Luvisol, Ontario

Figure 16: Orthic Gray Luvisol, Alberta

Figure 17: Mesic Fibrisol, Alberta

Figure 18: Humic Mesisol, British Columbia

Figure 19: Orthic Humic Podzol, Newfoundland

Figure 20: Orthic Ferro-Humic Podzol, Quebec

Figure 21: Orthic Humo-Ferric Podzol, Nova Scotia

Figure 22: Orthic Regosol, Northwest Territories

Figure 23: Cumulic Regosol, Northwest Territories

Figure 24: Brown Solodized Solonetz, Saskatchewan

Figure 25: Brown Solod, Saskatchewan

Figure 26: Orthic Humic Vertisol, Manitoba

Figure 27: Orthic Vertisol, Saskatchewan

The taxonomic class of a pedon can be determined by using the definitions and keys in this and other chapters. A knowledge of soil horizon definitions and soil terminology as presented in this publication is required to use the keys. Definitions of these terms in relation to soil climate are in Chapter 14.

Keys to soil orders, soil great groups, and soil subgroups are presented in this chapter. Complete definitions of each order, great group, and subgroup are contained in the chapter on each order. All the keys are arranged in a systematic order and are based on diagnostic soil criteria (or criterion). Keys for soil families and soil series within subgroups are not included in this publication. However, family differentiae are specified in Chapter 14, and an up-to-date list of approved series (CanSlS Canadian Soil Names File) is maintained by the Eastern Cereal and Oilseed Research Centre, Ottawa.

The following procedure should be used to key out the classification of a pedon:

1. Expose a vertical section through the pedon, describe the horizons, and take appropriate samples if the designation of some horizons must be checked by laboratory analysis. In some cases the final classification must await the laboratory data.
2. Study the Key to Soil Orders in this chapter and select the first order in the key that apparently includes the pedon involved.
3. Turn to the page indicated and verify that the definition of the soil order includes the pedon concerned. Then using the Key to Soil Great Groups (page 35), select the appropriate great group.
4. Turn to the page indicated and verify that the definition of the soil great group includes the pedon concerned. Then using the Key to Soil Subgroups (page 37), select the appropriate subgroup.
5. Turn to the page indicated and verify that the definition of the soil subgroup includes the pedon concerned.
6. To classify the pedon at the family level, turn to Chapter 14 and select the family designation that applies; e.g., loamy, mixed, shallow, acid, cold, humid family.
7. To classify the pedon at the series level, refer to a recent soil survey report for the area, or confer with the soil correlator of the province or territory.

For those familiar with Canadian soil taxonomy and the soils of the area under study, the detailed step-by-step procedure usually is not necessary. However, even experienced pedologists must await laboratory data before classifying some pedons. Periodically users of the system will encounter pedons that do not appear to fit any of the soil classes defined. If the pedon appears to represent a significant area (i.e., more than 800 ha) then describe it thoroughly, collect samples for analysis, indicate the properties that make it difficult to classify, and notify the soil correlator of the province or territory involved.

The Key to Soil Orders, Great Groups, and Subgroups is accessible on-line and is enriched with information from Chapters 4 through 13.

Links:
Learning Resources > CSSC > Chapter 3