The World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB) as an Instrument for the National and International Communication
Othmar NESTROY
Pages: 9-12
Summary
Whoever studies the WRB in greater detail will know that this system is not intended to replace the individual national soil classification systems, but, as specified in the preface to the WRB, is to be considered as a platform, or “umbrella”, serving to promote international understanding in this special field. It should be added that this system is expected to be finalized during the 18th World Congress of the IUSS to be held in Philadelphia in July 2006.
Still, there would be merit even now in giving some thought to this WRB in its 1998 version.
In Austria, a new soil classification system has been used since the year 2000 and has yielded good results. However, national soil type classifications need to be supplemented by classifications according to the WRB in order to be accepted by reviewed journals. The difficulties involved are discussed in this report and illustrated by several practical examples.
In addition, this report presents several examples of soil classification according to the WRB compared with the Austrian and Croatian classification systems: Pararendzina, Leptosol, Mull-Rendzina, Deponieboden, and Typischer Pseudogley.
Using conclusions, this report discusses the favourable effect the WRB has on international understanding in the field of pedology notwithstanding its virtual inability to consider the national peculiarities.
Still, there would be merit even now in giving some thought to this WRB in its 1998 version.
In Austria, a new soil classification system has been used since the year 2000 and has yielded good results. However, national soil type classifications need to be supplemented by classifications according to the WRB in order to be accepted by reviewed journals. The difficulties involved are discussed in this report and illustrated by several practical examples.
In addition, this report presents several examples of soil classification according to the WRB compared with the Austrian and Croatian classification systems: Pararendzina, Leptosol, Mull-Rendzina, Deponieboden, and Typischer Pseudogley.
Using conclusions, this report discusses the favourable effect the WRB has on international understanding in the field of pedology notwithstanding its virtual inability to consider the national peculiarities.
Keywords
comparison between the Croatian and Austrian soil classifi cation with the WRB; Rendzinas; Leptosols; Deposols; Stagnosols
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