The World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB) as an Instrument for the National and International Communication

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

The World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB) as an Instrument for the National and International Communication

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

Die Österreichische Bodensystematik 2000 in der revidierten Fassung von 2011

Kurzfassung Nach Einführung der Österreichischen Bodensystematik 2000 wurden aufgrund der Erprobung im Gelände wie unter Berücksichtigung neuer Forschungsergebnisse einige Korrekturen bei Klassen,Typen und Subtypen vorgenommen. Der Typ Frostmusterboden mit fünf Subtypen wurde neu eingeführt. Diese Maßnahmen sowie textliche Korrekturen können als deutliche Verbesserung der ÖBS 2000 gesehen werden. Abstract The field tests and laboratory data on the “Austrian Soil Classification 2000” resulted in numerous corrections with respect to the classes, types and subtypes of soils. For example, the new type, Frostmusterboden (sorted pattern soil) with five subtypes, was introduced. Undoubtedly, these corrections are an improvement of the Austrian Soil Classification 2000

Pedologisch-numismatische Streifzüge mit Ceres von der Antike bis zur Gegenwart

Ceres/Demeter, die griechisch-römische Göttin des reifenden Lebens und der Fruchtbarkeit, die als die größte Gabe die Kenntnis des Getreideanbaues der Menschheit brachte, ist somit auch Sinnbild für Fruchtbarkeit und Welternährung: Deshalb symbolisiert eine Ähre diese Göttin. Und so ist es nur eine logische Konsequenz und es bedarf keiner längeren Erklärung, wenn verdienstvolle Persönlichkeiten der Bodenkunde und Pflanzenernährung auf diese Weise Ehrungen, z. B. in Form einer Medaille, erfahren

On the phytosociological affinities of communities with Fritillaria meleagris on the border between central and southeastern Europe

Im südöstlichen Österreich, im angrenzenden Westungarn und Nordostslowenien wurden insgesamt 31 Bestände mit Fritillaria meleagris pflanzensoziologisch erfasst, ausgewertet und durch Bodendaten ergänzt. In folgenden Pflanzengesellschaften konnte die Schachblume nachgewiesen werden: Pruno-Fraxinetum, Pseudostellario-Carpinetum, Galio palustris-Caricetum ripariae, Lysimachio vulgaris-Filipenduletum caricetosum acutiformis, Iridetum sibiricae, Serratulo-Festucetum commutatae, Silaetum pratensis, Festuco pratensis-Alopecuretum pratensis. Die Auswertung zeigt, dass F. meleagris im Untersuchungsgebiet eine breite phytocoenologische Amplitude hat und nicht als Charakterart einer bestimmten Assoziation aufgefasst werden kann. Alle Standorte weisen Eingriffe in den Bodenwasser-haushalt in Form von Entwässerungsmaßnahmen auf, die sich aufgrund der sand- und schluffreichen, meist hydromorphen Böden z. T. erst allmählich auf die Artenzusammensetzung der Flächen auswir-ken. Besonders die Vorkommen im Arrhenatherion sollten dringend einem Monitoring unterzogen werden, um einen weiteren Rückgang der Art erkennen und verhindern zu können.Vegetation and soil data have been sampled from 31 plots with Fritillaria meleagris in southeastern Austria, adjacent western Hungary and northeastern Slovenia. Fritillaria meleagris occurs in the following associations: Pruno-Fraxinetum, Pseudostellario-Carpinetum, Galio palustris-Caricetum ripar-iae, Lysimachio vulgaris-Filipenduletum caricetosum acutiformis, Iridetum sibiricae, Serratulo-Festucetum commutatae, Silaetum pratensis and Festuco pratensis-Alopecuretum pratensis. Our data demonstrate the broad phytocoenological amplitude of F. meleagris and do not support its recognition as character species of a particular association. All sites have been affected by the construction of drainage ditches, which is just beginning to be reflected in the floristic composition of the vegetation. We strongly recommend starting a monitoring program especially for the Arrhenatherion stands. The resulting measures could prevent the ongoing decline of the species

Soil classification and mapping in the Alps: The current state and future challenges

International audienceAs soils are facing considerable changes in climate, land use, land consumption, and degradation, it is vital to understand the characteristics of soils and their distribution, especially for soil management issues. In mountainous regions like the Alps, soils require specific attention as they provide a large variety of ecological functions, but also because of their vulnerability. However, pedological research and the collection of soil data in the Alps are still limited. On the one hand, there are specific methodological problems linked to the surveying, interpretation, and classification of Alpine soils due to their high variability over short spatial ranges and the peculiarities of the Alpine environment in general. On the other hand, the process of collecting soil data and mapping soils, as well as the soil classification systems used, significantly differs among the Alpine countries. The Alpine Convention therefore requires data harmonization as a basis for national and cross-country collaborations, soil monitoring, and sustainable management. This paper is an initial national expert-based review, which deals with the status of soil classification and soil mapping and related problems in the Alpine region. In the first part we highlight the current state of soil databases and soil maps in the Alpine area, as well as efforts toward soil data harmonization. We summarize the national soil mapping and soil inventory programs, monitoring activities (e.g., Soil Quality Monitoring, Soil Management Survey, Forest Monitoring), and soil information systems available in the main Alpine countries Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland. Second, we present the soil classification systems which are in use in the Alpine area. It is discussed to what extent these systems can reflect the characteristics of Alpine soils. In this context, we also examine the relevance of organic matter and humus forms. We then outline problems of comparability between the classification systems as well as challenges to classifying Alpine soils in general. In the third part – as soil classification and soil mapping are two different matters from a methodical point of view – we highlight basic challenges to soil surveys in the Alpine environment. We conclude that Alpine-wide shared soil site mapping and soil classification standards covering the specifics of Alpine soils are lacking. Thus, the main aim for the international management of Alpine soil resources should be to develop a framework for the basic soil information that is to be gathered by means of cross-border collection in the entire Alpine space, and to harmonize the already existing data. The former should include an upgrade of an existing international soil classification, e.g., the World Reference Base WRB (IUSS, 2014)