Correlation between Ranker Soil Type of National Classification System and Leptosols Reference Soil Group of World Reference Base For Soil Resources – Theoretical Approach

Abstract

National soil classification system (NSCS) used in Serbia is based on the principles of genetic classification. It is utilizes the concept of genetic soil horizons. The world reference base (WRB) for soil resources is based on soil properties defined in terms of diagnostic horizons, diagnostic properties, and diagnostic materials, which to the greatest extent possible should be measurable and observable in the field. The difference between genetic vs. diagnostic horizons creates an obstacle in correlation of soil types from NSCS with reference soil groups (RSG's) of WRB for soil resources, whereas the advantage in this work is that most of the soil names of national system correlate to the revised legend of the Soil Map of the World which is an forerunner of WRB for soil resources. This work aims to compare Ranker soil type of NSCS with corresponding RSG from WRB for soil resources, namely with Leptosols, as they have been reported in Serbia and abroad, as an appropriate reference soil group. The comparison was conducted on the base of qualitative and semi–quantitative information collected from the literature and experience of the authors – theretical approach. It was conducted in two ways: a) Leptosols vs. Rankers, meaning which Leptosols of WRB for soil resources are Rankers in NSCS, and b) Rankers vs. Leptosols, meaning which Rankers of NSCS are Leptosols in WRB. The conclusion of our work is that Leptosols RSG can correspond to Rankers in NSCS, but some WRB Leptosols are also Lithosols, Technosols, soils of Subaquatic soil order, Eugleys, Humogleys, Peat Soils, Rendzinas, Kalkomelanosols, Eutric and Dystric Cambisols, whereas Gypsiric Leptosols can not be classified according to NSCS. Observing in different direction, the results show that Ranker Soils could be also part of some other RSG with Leptic principal qualifier, such as Andosols, Phaeozems, Umbrisols, Cambisols, and Regosols. This work represents a small contribution to soil science in Serbia as WRB is comprehensive classification system that enables accommodation of NSCS's for communication at the international level.