Spanish Keys to Soil Taxonomy

NRCS recently released a Spanish version of the Keys to Soil Taxonomy tenth edition.  For decades, NRCS has worked with soil scientists from around the world to increase awareness and expand knowledge concerning the importance of soil and its impact on all aspects of life.  By translating the Keys, many Spanish-speaking soil scientists and other professionals in the United States and other countries will benefit from this effort.  It will also expand the horizons of U.S. soil taxonomy by applying and interpreting the system in a more uniform and consistent way. While soils differ globally, soil scientists share the common goal of having a system that is universally understood and accepted. 

The translation of the Keys into Spanish was initiated by Arkansas NRCS State Soil Scientist Luis Hernandez.  Hernandez coordinated this important effort with Professor of Soil Science Dr. Carlos A. Ortiz, (Colegio dePostgraduados Montecillo, Mexico) who undertook the large task of translating the publication into Spanish. Following the translation work, the technical review was done by Spanish-speaking NRCS soil scientists and cartographers from various States and field offices throughout the U.S.  They included Assistant State Soil Scientist Milton Cortes, MLRA Soil Survey Project Leader Edwin Muniz, MLRA Soil Survey Project Leader Astrid Martinez, soil scientist Milton Martinez, soil scientist Alvin Perez, soil scientist Manuel Matos, and cartographic technician Diana Angelo.  The layout and printing support was provided by Soil Survey Editor Stan Anderson at the NRCS National Soil Survey Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Currently the Spanish translation of the Keys is posted on the NRCS website soils page in a PDF format for downloading.  The publication is also available on a CD and can be requested by contacting the National Soil Survey Center in Lincoln, Nebraska at 402-437-5499.  A limited number of hard copies will soon be available from LANDCARE — the NRCS online ordering and distribution system for publications.
Your contact is NRCS public affairs specialist Linda Greene at 402-437-5879.