Abstract: This March, 2001 edition of the Glossary of Soil Science Terms replaces the
February, 1997 edition and includes a few minor revisions, two deletions, and
10 additions that are noted in the definitions. A standing committee, S374
Glossary of Soil Science Terms Committee, was appointed in 1997 and has been
responsible for the ongoing update of this Glossary.

The SSSA has published definitions or ... glossaries of soil science terms since
1956. The first five published lists appeared in the SSSA Proceedings from 1956
through 1965. These glossaries were developed by various terminology committees
of SSSA. From 1968 through 1984 revisions in terminology were handled by SSSA
division terminology committees. New terms were carried as appendices in the
five revised editions of the Glossary published from 1971 through 1979, plus a
supplement in October 1982. The 1984 revision incorporated a policy that all
acceptable terms appear in a single alphabetical list. Appendices would include
obsolete terms, tabular information, proposed new terms or guidelines, etc. The
1997 revision of the Glossary did not have a separate list of obsolete terms.

Measurements included with terms are in SI units to conform with SSSA policy
requiring SI units for all publications. Conversion factors for SI and non-SI
units are included at the end of this Glossary.

None of the terms in the Glossary of Soil Science Terms are considered official
by the SSSA. They are published in an effort to provide a foundation for common
understanding in communications covering soil science.