Humusica 1, article 5: Terrestrial humus systems and forms — Keys of classification of humus systems and forms

2018
This article is an as simple as possible key of classification of terrestrial (aerobic, not submerged) topsoils(organic and organic-mineral series of soil horizons). Based on the introduction exposed in Humusica 1, article 1, and using vocabulary and definitions listed in article 4, a classification is proposed for better understanding the biological functioning of the soil, partially disclosing the process of litter digestion. Five types of terrestrial topsoils, called terrestrial humussystems, are described and illustrated with the help of photographs. Within each humussystem, 3–4 humusforms are also revealed, corresponding to similar series of soil horizonsgenerated in a relatively homogeneous environment whose range of ecological factors is not so large to overstep and cause the genesis of another different humussystem. The article ends with a figure that shows the relationship between Tangel and Amphi humussystems, and a dichotomous key of classification that one can easily print and bring in the field for practicing humusclassification.
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