Chapter 3: Key to Soil Subgroups
AA. Organic Cryosol
AAA. Organic Cryosols that have an ice layer >30 cm in thickness with the upper boundary within 1 m of the surface… Glacic Organic Cryosol
AAB. Other Organic Cryosols that have a mineral contact within 1 m of the surface and mainly fibric organic material above the contact… Terric Fibric Organic Cryosol
AAC. Other Organic Cryosols that have a mineral contact within 1 m of the surface and mainly mesic organic material above the contact… Terric Mesic Organic Cryosol
AAD. Other Organic Cryosols that have a mineral contact within 1 m of the surface and mainly humic organic material above the contact… Terric Humic Organic Cryosol
AAE. Other Organic Cryosols in which the organic material is dominantly fibric below a depth of 40 cm… Fibric Organic Cryosol
AAF. Other Organic Cryosols in which the organic material is dominantly mesic below a depth of 40 cm… Mesic Organic Cryosol
AAG. Other Organic Cryosols in which the organic material is dominantly humic below a depth of 40 cm… Humic Organic Cryosol
AB. Turbic Cryosol
ABA. Turbic Cryosols that have a gleyed layer similar to soils of the Gleysolic order… Gleysolic Turbic Cryosol
ABB. Other Turbic Cryosols that have organic horizons in the upper 1 m of the solum, are >15 cm in thickness, and have a pH ≥5.5 in some or all of the B horizons… Histic Eutric Turbic Cryosol
ABC. Other Turbic Cryosols that have organic horizons in the upper 1 m of the solum, are >15 cm in thickness, and have a pH <5.5 in some or all of the B horizons… Histic Dystric Turbic Cryosol
ABD. Other Turbic Cryosols that have organic horizons in the upper 1 m of the solum, are >15 cm in thickness, and have no B horizons… Histic Regosolic Turbic Cryosol
ABE. Other Turbic Cryosols that have a Bm horizon ≥10 cm in thickness and a pH ≥5.5 in some or all of the B horizons… Brunisolic Eutric Turbic Cryosol
ABF. Other Turbic Cryosols that have a Bm horizon ≥10 cm in thickness and a pH <5.5 in some or all of the B horizons… Brunisolic Dystric Turbic Cryosol
ABG. Other Turbic Cryosols that have a Bm horizon <10 cm in thickness and a pH ≥5.5 in some or all of the B horizons… Orthic Eutric Turbic Cryosol
ABH. Other Turbic Cryosols that have a Bm horizon <10 cm in thickness and a pH <5.5 in some or all of the B horizons… Orthic Dystric Turbic Cryosol
ABI. Other Turbic Cryosols… Regosolic Turbic Cryosol
AC. Static Cryosol
ACA. Static Cryosols that have a gleyed layer similar to soils of the Gleysolic order… Gleysolic Static Cryosol
ACB. Other Static Cryosols that have organic horizons in the upper 1 m of the solum, are >15 cm in thickness, and have a pH ≥5.5 in some or all of the B horizons… Histic Eutric Static Cryosol
ACC. Other Static Cryosols that have organic horizons in the upper 1 m of the solum, are >15 cm in thickness, and have a pH <5.5 in some or all of the B horizons… Histic Dystric Static Cryosol
ACD. Other Static Cryosols that have organic horizons in the upper 1 m of the solum, are >15 cm in thickness, and have no B horizons… Histic Regosolic Static Cryosol
ACE. Other Static Cryosols that have an eluvial horizon and a Bty horizon ≥10 cm in thickness… Luvisolic Static Cryosol
ACF. Other Static Cryosols that have a Bm horizon ≥10 cm in thickness and a pH ≥5.5 in some or all of the B horizons… Brunisolic Eutric Static Cryosol
ACG. Other Static Cryosols that have a Bm horizon ≥10 cm in thickness and a pH <5.5 in some or all of the B horizons… Brunisolic Dystric Static Cryosol
ACH. Other Static Cryosols that have a Bm horizon <10 cm in thickness and a pH ≥5.5 in some or all of the B horizons… Orthic Eutric Static Cryosol
ACI. Other Static Cryosols that have a Bm horizon <10 cm in thickness and a pH <5.5 in some or all of the B horizons… Orthic Dystric Static Cryosol
ACJ. Other Static Cryosols… Regosolic Static Cryosol
BA. Folisol
BAA. Folisols that have an O horizon >10 cm in thickness below the F or H horizons… Histic Folisol
BAB. Other Folisols that have F or H horizons composed primarily of woody materials… Lignic Folisol
BAC. Other Folisols that are composed primarily of moderately decomposed F horizon within the control section… Hemic Folisol
BAD. Other Folisols that are composed primarily of well-decomposed H horizon within the control section… Humic Folisol
BB. Fibrisol
BBA. Fibrisols that have a hydric layer… Hydric Fibrisol
BBB. Other Fibrisols that have a terric layer at least 30 cm in thickness beneath the surface tier and a humic layer >12 cm in thickness within the control section… Terric Humic Fibrisol
BBC. Other Fibrisols that have a terric layer at least 30 cm in thickness beneath the surface tier and a mesic layer >25 cm in thickness within the control section… Terric Mesic Fibrisol
BBD. Other Fibrisols that have a terric layer at least 30 cm in thickness beneath the surface tier… Terric Fibrisol
BBE. Other Fibrisols that have a limnic layer >5 cm in thickness beneath the surface tier… Limnic Fibrisol
BBF. Other Fibrisols that have more than 5 cm combined thickness of cumulic layer or layers beneath the surface tier… Cumulic Fibrisol
BBG. Other Fibrisols that have a humic layer >12 cm in thickness in the middle or bottom tier… Humic Fibrisol
BBH. Other Fibrisols that have a mesic layer >25 cm in thickness in the middle or bottom tier… Mesic Fibrisol
BBI. Other Fibrisols… Typic Fibrisol
BC. Mesisol
BCA. Mesisols that have a Hydric layer… Hydric Mesisol
BCB. Other Mesisols that have a terric layer at least 30 cm in thickness beneath the surface tier and a humic layer >25 cm in thickness within the control section… Terric Humic Mesisol
BCC. Other Mesisols that have a terric layer at least 30 cm in thickness beneath the surface tier and a fibric layer >25 cm in thickness within the control section… Terric Fibric Mesisol
BCD. Other Mesisols that have a terric layer at least 30 cm in thickness beneath the surface tier… Terric Mesisol
BCE. Other Mesisols that have a limnic layer >5 cm in thickness beneath the surface tier… Limnic Mesisol
BCF. Other Mesisols that have more than 5 cm combined thickness of cumulic layer or layers beneath the surface tier… Cumulic Mesisol
BCG. Other Mesisols that have a humic layer >25 cm in thickness in the middle or bottom tier… Humic Mesisol
BCH. Other Mesisols that have a fibric layer >25 cm in thickness in the middle or bottom tier… Fibric Mesisol
BCI. Other Mesisols… Typic Mesisol
BD. Humisol
BDA. Humisols that have a hydric layer… Hydric Humisol
BDB. Other Humisols that have a terric layer at least 30 cm in thickness beneath the surface tier and a fibric layer >12 cm in thickness within the control section… Terric Fibric Humisol
BDC. Other Humisols that have a terric layer at least 30 cm in thickness beneath the surface tier and a mesic layer >25 cm in thickness within the control section… Terric Mesic Humisol
BDD. Other Humisols that have a terric layer at least 30 cm in thickness beneath the surface tier… Terric Humisol
BDE. Other Humisols that have a limnic layer >5 cm in thickness beneath the surface tier… Limnic Humisol
BDF. Other Humisols that have more than 5 cm combined thickness of cumulic layer or layers beneath the surface tier… Cumulic Humisol
BDG. Other Humisols that have a fibric layer >12 cm in thickness in the middle or bottom tier… Fibric Humisol
BDH. Other Humisols that have a mesic layer >25 cm in thickness in the middle or bottom tier… Mesic Humisol
BDI. Other Humisols… Typic Humisol
CA. Vertisol
CAA. Vertisols that have prominent mottles within 50 cm of the mineral soil surface… Gleysolic Vertisol
CAB. Other Vertisols that have faint to distinct mottles within 50 cm of the mineral soil surface… Gleyed Vertisol
CAC. Other Vertisols… Orthic Vertisol
CB. Humic Vertisol
CBA. Humic Vertisols that have prominent mottles within 50 cm of the mineral soil surface… Gleysolic Humic Vertisol
CBB. Other Humic Vertisols that have faint to distinct mottles within 50 cm of the mineral soil surface… Gleyed Humic Vertisol
CBC. Other Humic Vertisols… Orthic Humic Vertisol
DA. Humic Podzol
DAA. Humic Podzols that have an ortstein horizon at least 3 cm in thickness… Ortstein Humic Podzol
DAB. Other Humic Podzols that have a placic horizon within the control section… Placic Humic Podzol
DAC. Other Humic Podzols that have a duric horizon within the control section… Duric Humic Podzol
DAD. Other Humic Podzols that have a fragipan within the control section… Fragic Humic Podzol
DAE. Other Humic Podzols… Orthic Humic Podzol
DB. Ferro-Humic Podzol
DBA. Ferro-Humic Podzols that have an ortstein horizon at least 3 cm in thickness and have distinct to prominent mottles within 1 m of the mineral soil surface… Gleyed Ortstein Ferro-Humic Podzol
DBB. Other Ferro-Humic Podzols that have an ortstein horizon at least 3 cm in thickness… Ortstein Ferro-Humic Podzol
DBC. Other Ferro-Humic Podzols that have a placic horizon within the control section… Placic Ferro-Humic Podzol
DBD. Other Ferro-Humic Podzols that have a duric horizon within the control section… Duric Ferro-Humic Podzol
DBE. Other Ferro-Humic Podzols that have a fragipan within the control section… Fragic Ferro-Humic Podzol
DBF. Other Ferro-Humic Podzols that have a Bt horizon with its upper boundary more than 50 cm from the mineral soil surface… Luvisolic Ferro-Humic Podzol
DBG. Other Ferro-Humic Podzols that have an Ah horizon ≥10 cm in thickness and have distinct to prominent mottles within 1 m of the mineral soil surface… Gleyed Sombric Ferro-Humic Podzol
DBH. Other Ferro-Humic Podzols that have an Ah horizon ≥10 cm in thickness… Sombric Ferro-Humic Podzol
DBI. Other Ferro-Humic Podzols that have distinct to prominent mottles within 1 m of the mineral soil surface… Gleyed Ferro-Humic Podzol
DBJ. Other Ferro-Humic Podzols… Orthic Ferro-Humic Podzol
DC. Humo-Ferric Podzol
DCA. Humo-Ferric Podzols that have an ortstein horizon at least 3 cm in thickness and have distinct to prominent mottles within 1 m of the mineral soil surface… Gleyed Ortstein Humo-Ferric Podzol
DCB. Other Humo-Ferric Podzols that have an ortstein horizon at least 3 cm in thickness… Ortstein Humo-Ferric Podzol
DCC. Other Humo-Ferric Podzols that have a placic horizon within the control section… Placic Humo-Ferric Podzol
DCD. Other Humo-Ferric Podzols that have a duric horizon within the control section… Duric Humo-Ferric Podzol
DCE. Other Humo-Ferric Podzols that have a fragipan within the control section… Fragic Humo-Ferric Podzol
DCF. Other Humo-Ferric Podzols that have a Bt horizon with its upper boundary more than 50 cm from the mineral soil surface… Luvisolic Humo-Ferric Podzol
DCG. Other Humo-Ferric Podzols that have an Ah horizon ≥10 cm in thickness and distinct to prominent mottles within 1 m of the mineral soil surface… Gleyed Sombric Humo-Ferric Podzol
DCH. Other Humo-Ferric Podzols that have an Ah horizon ≥10 cm in thickness… Sombric Humo-Ferric Podzol
DCI. Other Humo-Ferric Podzols that have distinct to prominent mottles within 1 m of the mineral soil surface… Gleyed Humo-Ferric Podzol
DCJ. Other Humo-Ferric Podzols… Orthic Humo-Ferric Podzol
EA. Luvic Gleysol
EAA. Luvic Gleysols that have a slickenside horizon within 1 m of the mineral soil surface… Vertic Luvic Gleysol
EAB. Other Luvic Gleysols that have a solonetzic B horizon… Solonetzic Luvic Gleysol
EAC. Other Luvic Gleysols that have a fragipan within or below the Btg horizon… Fragic Luvic Gleysol
EAD. Other Luvic Gleysols that have a mineral-organic surface horizon that meets the requirements of the Ah or Ap horizon of Humic Gleysols… Humic Luvic Gleysol
EAE. Other Luvic Gleysols that have either a Bgf horizon ≥10 cm in thickness, as well as a Btg horizon, or a Btgf horizon… Fera Luvic Glevsol
EAF. Other Luvic Gleysols… Orthic Luvic Gleysol
EB. Humic Gleysol
EBA. Humic Gleysols that have a slickenside horizon within 1 m of the mineral soil surface… Vertic Humic Gleysol
EBB. Other Humic Gleysols that have a solonetzic B horizon… Solonetzic Humic Gleysol
EBC. Other Humic Gleysols that have a Bgf horizon ≥10 cm in thickness… Fera Humic Gleysol
EBD. Other Humic Gleysols that lack a B horizon ≥10 cm in thickness… Rego Humic Gleysol
EBE. Other Humic Gleysols… Orthic Humic Gleysol
EC. Gleysol
ECA. Gleysols that have a slickenside horizon within 1 m of the mineral soil surface… Vertic Gleysol
ECB. Other Gleysols that have a solonetzic B horizon… Solonetzic Gleysol
ECC. Other Gleysols that have a Bgf horizon ≥10 cm in thickness… Fera Gleysol
ECD. Other Gleysols that lack a B horizon ≥10 cm in thickness… Rego Gleysol
ECE. Other Gleysols… Orthic Gleysol
FA. Vertic Solonetz
FAA. Vertic Solonetzs that have an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with a color value >4.5 dry, a chroma usually >1.5 dry, and faint to distinct mottles within 50 cm of the mineral soil surface… Gleyed Brown Vertic Solonetz
FAB. Other Vertic Solonetzs that have an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with a color value >4.5 dry and a chroma usually >1.5 dry… Brown Vertic Solonetz
FAC. Other Vertic Solonetzs that have an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with a color value of 3.5-4.5 dry, a chroma usually >1.5 dry, and faint to distinct mottles within 50 cm of the mineral soil surface… Gleyed Dark Brown Vertic Solonetz
FAD. Other Vertic Solonetzs that have an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with a color value of 3.5-4.5 dry and a chroma usually >1.5 dry… Dark Brown Vertic Solonetz
FAE. Other Vertic Solonetzs that have an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with a color value <3.5 dry, a chroma usually >1.5 dry, and faint to distinct mottles within 50 cm of the mineral soil surface… Gleyed Black Vertic Solonetz
FAF. Other Vertic Solonetzs that have an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with a color value <3.5 dry and a chroma usually >1.5 dry… Black Vertic Solonetz
FB. Solod
FBA. Solods that have an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with a color value >4.5 dry, a chroma usually >1.5, and faint to distinct mottles within 50 cm of the mineral soil surface… Gleyed Brown Solod
FBB. Other Solods that have an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with a color value >4.5 dry and a chroma usually >1.5… Brown Solod
FBC. Other Solods that have an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with a color value of 3.5-4.5 dry, a chroma usually >1.5, and faint to distinct mottles within 50 cm of the mineral soil surface… Gleyed Dark Brown Solod
FBD. Other Solods that have an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with a color value of 3.5-4.5 dry and a chroma usually >1.5… Dark Brown Solod
FBE. Other Solods that have an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with a color value <3.5 dry, a chroma usually >1.5, and faint to distinct mottles within 50 cm of the mineral soil surface… Gleyed Black Solod
FBF. Other Solods that have an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with a color value <3.5 dry and a chroma usually >1.5… Black Solod
FBG. Other Solods that have an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with a color value of 3.5-4.5 dry, a chroma usually <2, and faint to distinct mottles within 50 cm of the mineral soil surface and are associated with a subhumid climate… Gleyed Dark Gray Solod
FBH. Other Solods that have an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with a color value of 3.5-4.5 dry and a chroma usually <2 and are associated with a subhumid climate… Dark Gray Solod
FBI. Other Solods that have an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with a color value >4.5 dry, a chroma usually <2, and faint to distinct mottles within 50 cm of the mineral soil surface and are associated with a subhumid climate… Gleyed Gray Solod
FBJ. Other Solods that have an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with a color value >4.5 dry and a chroma usually <2 and are associated with a subhumid climate… Gray Solod
FC. Solodized Solonetz
FCA. Solodized Solonetzs that have an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with a color value >4.5 dry, a chroma usually >1.5, and faint to distinct mottles within 50 cm of the mineral soil surface… Gleyed Brown Solodized Solonetz
FCB. Other Solodized Solonetzs that have an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with a color value >4.5 dry and a chroma usually >1.5… Brown Solodized Solonetz
FCC. Other Solodized Solonetzs that have an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with a color value of 3.5-4.5 dry, a chroma usually >1.5, and faint to distinct mottles within 50 cm of the mineral soil surface… Gleyed Dark Brown Solodized Solonetz
FCD. Other Solodized Solonetzs that have an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with a color value of 3.5-4.5 dry and a chroma usually >1.5… Dark Brown Solodized Solonetz
FCE. Other Solodized Solonetzs that have an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with a color value <3.5 dry, a chroma usually >1.5, and faint to distinct mottles within 50 cm of the mineral soil surface… Gleyed Black Solodized Solonetz
FCF. Other Solodized Solonetzs that have an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with a color value <3.5 dry and a chroma usually >1.5… Black Solodized Solonetz
FCG. Other Solodized Solonetzs that have an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with a color value of 3.5-4.5 dry, a chroma usually <2, and faint to distinct mottles within 50 cm of the mineral soil surface and are associated with a subhumid climate… Gleyed Dark Gray Solodized Solonetz
FCH. Other Solodized Solonetzs that have an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with a color value of 3.5-4.5 dry and a chroma usually <2 and are associated with a subhumid climate… Dark Gray Solodized Solonetz
FCI. Other Solodized Solonetzs that have an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with a color value >4.5 dry, a chroma usually <2, and faint to distinct mottles within 50 cm of the mineral soil surface and are associated with a subhumid climate… Gleyed Gray Solodized Solonetz
FCJ. Other Solodized Solonetzs that have an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with a color value >4.5 dry and a chroma usually <2 and are associated with a subhumid climate… Gray Solodized Solonetz
FD. Solonetz
FDA. Solonetzs that have a strongly alkaline A horizon with pH (H2O) >8.5… Alkaline Solonetz
FDB. Other Solonetzs that have an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with a color value >4.5 dry, a chroma usually >1.5, and faint to distinct mottles within 50 cm of the mineral soil surface… Gleyed Brown Solonetz
FDC. Other Solonetzs that have an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with a color value >4.5 dry and a chroma usually >1.5… Brown Solonetz
FDD. Other Solonetzs that have an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with a color value of 3.5-4.5 dry, a chroma usually >1.5, and faint to distinct mottles within 50 cm of the mineral soil surface… Gleyed Dark Brown Solonetz
FDE. Other Solonetzs that have an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with a color value of 3.5-4.5 dry and a chroma usually >1.5… Dark Brown Solonetz
FDF. Other Solonetzs that have an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with a color value <3.5 dry, a chroma usually >1.5, and faint to distinct mottles within 50 cm of the mineral soil surface… Gleyed Black Solonetz
FDG. Other Solonetzs that have an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with a color value <3.5 dry and a chroma usually >1.5… Black Solonetz