Soil series as established by the
National Cooperative Soil Survey of the
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service are a level of classification in the
USDA Soil Taxonomy classification system hierarchy. The actual object of classification is the so-called soil individual, or
pedon. Soil series consist of pedons that are grouped together because of their similar
pedogenesis,
soil chemistry, and physical properties. More specifically, each series consists of pedons having
soil horizons that are similar in
soil color,
soil texture,
soil structure,
soil pH, consistence, mineral and chemical composition, and arrangement in the
soil profile. These result in soils which perform similarly for
land use purposes.