Keys to Soil Taxonomy

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Keys to Soil Taxonomy, Eleventh Edition (2010) (PDF; 1.5 MB)
    e-book version (PDF; 4.4 MB)

Recommended citation: Soil Survey Staff. 2010. Keys to Soil Taxonomy, 11th ed. USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Washington, DC.

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Summary of changes to Keys to Soil Taxonomy (DOC; 124 KB)

Previous versions of Keys to Soil Taxonomy
 

Spanish version of Keys to Soil Taxonomy

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Claves para la Taxonomía de Suelos, Undécima Edición, 2010 (PDF; Spanish translation; 3.02 MB)

Recommended citation: Soil Survey Staff. 2010. Claves para la Taxonomía de Suelos, 11th ed. USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Washington, DC.

For decades, NRCS has worked with soil scientists from around the world to increase awareness and expand knowledge of the importance of soil and its impact on all aspects of life. Many soil scientists and other professionals from Latin America, the United States, and other countries will benefit from this translation effort for years to come. According to NRCS leadership, the translation will expand the horizons of U.S. Soil Taxonomy by allowing professionals in all parts of the world to apply and interpret the system in a more uniform and consistent way. While soils differ globally, the ability to apply a system that is universally understood and accepted is a goal shared by many soil scientists. As the world struggles with global warming and other environmental challenges, having a universally accepted method that can be applied when soil problems are addressed will contribute to successful outcomes.

The translation of the “Keys” into Spanish was the initiative of Luis Hernández, Arkansas State Soil Scientist. Hernández coordinated this important effort with Dr. Carlos A. Ortiz, Professor of Soil Science, Colegio de Postgraduados, Montecillo, Mexico, who undertook the large task of translating the publication into Spanish with the collaboration of Ma. del Carmen Gutiérrez-Castorena and Edgar V. Gutiérrez-Castorena. Following the translation work, the technical review was done by Spanish-speaking NRCS soil scientists and cartographers from various states and field offices: Astrid Martínez, Wyoming; Carmen L. Santiago, Puerto Rico; Nelson Rolong, Arkansas; Edwin Muñiz, New Jersey; Manuel Matos, Florida; Martín Figueroa, Florida; Milton Cortés, North Carolina; and Jorge L. Lugo, Puerto Rico. Dr. Owen Williams served as an additional consultant on the project. Editorial support was provided by Pattie West, Editor, National Soil Survey Center, Lincoln, Nebraska.

In addition to the PDF file listed above, the publication is available on a CD and can be requested by contacting the National Soil Survey Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. A limited number of hard copies will be printed and available by late winter through the NRCS Distribution Center (see ordering information below).
 

Ordering Keys to Soil Taxonomy, 11th edition (English or Spanish)

1. Order on-line: Go to http://nrcspad.sc.egov.usda.gov/DistributionCenter/ which will take you to the Publications ordering page
   1. Search for “keys to soil taxonomy”
2. Order by phone: 1-888-526-3227 (follow recorded message instructions)
3. Order by e-mail: NRCSDistributionCenter@ia.usda.gov (specify version)