Division

1 Immature soils

Characterised by indistinct or weakly developed

horizons, which, if developed, are generally restricted
to surface organic horizons or surface mineral (A)
horizons resting directly onto rock or little-altered
parent material
2 Non-leached soils

Non-leached soils are characterised by the presence of

free calcium carbonate and have a neutral or alkaline
reaction. The lower horizons may show some gleying
3 Leached soils

Leached soils are characterised by an absence of free

lime and an acid reaction in their A and B horizons.
Some of the horizons may show signs of gleying
indicating periodic but infrequent waterlogging but the
dominant soil forming process is leaching.
4 Gleyed soils
Gleyed soils are characterised by permanent or
intermittent waterlogging which often alters the
inherent soil colours. The waterlogging can be due to
inhibited drainage of surface water or to the presence
of groundwater.
5 Organic soils

Organic soils are formed under waterlogged conditions

or where the natural decomposition rates of organic
material are significantly slower than the rates of
accumulation. These soils have more than 60%
organic matter and exceed 50cm in thickness.
6 Man made and other soils

Soils in which the natural soil processes have been

profoundly disturbed by man beyond simple
cultivation or when man has created a new soil.
Major soil Group Major soil Sub Group code

1.1 Lithosols
1.1.1

Lithosols are restricted in depth and have continuous, 1.1.2

coherent rock within 10cm of the surface. Where
developed, generally only mineral A, organic (O or H)
horizons are found although some intermediate
organic-rich humose horizons also occur.

1.1.3

1.1.4

1.2 Rankers

1.2.1

1.2.2

Rankers are shallow soils with either mineral A or 1.2.3

organic H or O horizons more than 10cm thick and
overlying noncalcareous rock or noncalcareous rubble.
Weakly developed, incipient E and B horizons may be
present.

1.2.4
 1.2.5

1.2.6

1.3 Regosols

1.3.1

1.3.2

Regosols are soils developed on unconsolidated 1.3.3

material and can often have a weakly developed
mineral A horizon.

1.3.4

1.4 Alluvial soils

1.4.1

Alluvial soils are developed in recently deposited 1.4.2

freshwater, estuarine or marine alluvium and often
have little profile development though some alluvial
soils can develop mineral A horizons, organic O
horizons or a humose organic-rich Ah horizon with
some weakly developed subsoil features.
 1.4.3

2.1 Rendzinas
2.1.1

Rendzinas are shallow soils developed on limestone 2.1.2

rock or limestone rubble and are more than 10cm
thick. They generally have a mineral A or an organic-
rich horizon directly on to rock or rock rubble or,
occasionally, weathered rock.

2.2 Calcareous soils

2.2.1

Calcareous soils have developed in calcareous parent 2.2.2

materials and contain free calcium carbonate within
the soil profile which typically has a well developed B
horizon overlying the parent material C horizon.
3.1 Magnesian soils
3.1.1

3.1.2

Magnesian soils have a high magnesium content and a

mineral A horizon which may have a high organic
matter content (Ah) and is generally dark brown. Only
soils developed from ultrabasic rocks are included in
this Major Soil Group.

3.2 Brown soils

3.2.1

Brown soils have brown to yellowish brown B horizons 3.2.2

which may contain moderate levels of organic matter
and a mineral A which may have high levels of organic
matter (humose Ah horizon). These soils are
characterised by gradual changes between horizons
and are moderately acidic.

3.3 Podzols
 3.3.1

3.3.2

In the uncultivated state, Podzols have an organic 3.3.3

surface horizon (H or O) overlying a grey, leached E
horizon and a brightly coloured, strong brown B
horizon where sesquioxides (iron and aluminium) have
accumulated. When cultivated, the surface organic
horizons and the bleached E horizon are often mixed
forming, through time, a mineral A horizon.
3.3.4

3.3.5

3.3.6
 3.3.7

4.1 Gleys
4.1.1

Gleys develop under conditions of permanent or 4.1.2

intermittent waterlogging. These soils often have a
pale Eg horizon below which the inherent soil colours
are often altered and can appear greyish with greenish
and bluish tinges. The soil colour appears dull overall
and there are often grey gley patches and ped faces
as well as rusty, ochreous mottles. Soil affected by
surface water generally have more gleying in the
upper horizons which decreases in intensity with
depth while soils affected by fluctuating groundwaters
generally have more intense gleying within the lower
soil horizons.

4.1.3
4.1.4

4.1.5

4.1.6
 4.1.7

4.1.8

5.1 Basin peats

Basin peats develop in waterlogged conditions in 5.1.1

topographic basins confined on all sides by mineral
ground. The peat may develop in such a manner that
it forms a dome shape whose peak is at a greater
height than the edges; this is called a raised moss.

5.1.2

5.1.3
5.2 Semi-confined peats

5.2.1

Semi-confined peats develop in waterlogged 5.2.2

conditions in valleys and terraces, between ridges,
morainic mounds and drumlins and have at least one
natural drainage outlet.

5.2.3

5.3 Blanket peats

5.3.1

Blanket peats are unconfined and 'blanket' the 5.3.2

underlying topography. They form in wet, humid areas
where there is an excess of rainfall over evaporation
and where cool conditions inhibit the breakdown of
organic material.

5.3.3

6.1 Restored soils

6.1.1
Restored soils are where the soil material from a site is 6.1.2
reinstated following mineral or other extraction. The
replaced material may be native to the site (having
been stored for the period of the extraction) or have
been brought in from other areas.

6.2 Raw spoil

6.2.1

Raw spoil, often material left over from an mineral 6.2.2

extraction process and which acts like new parent
material in which pedogenesis can occur

6.3 Anthropogenic soils

6.3.1

Anthropogenic soils are any soils where man 6.3.2

deliberately manipulates the environment to access
new areas of land by adding material or by excluding
estuarine and marine waters to expose the underlying
sediment.
6.4 Buried soils 6.4.(buried soil)

Buried soils occur where an existing well developed

soil profile is deliberately or accidently buried by man
or by natural processes.
Major soil Sub Group

Rock

Brown lithosols

Humic lithosols

Peaty lithosols

Magnesian rankers

Brown rankers

Podzolic rankers

Gley rankers
Humic rankers

Peaty rankers

Scree

Shingle

Calcareous regosols

Noncalcareous regosols

Saline alluvial soils

Mineral alluvial soils

Peaty alluvial soils

Brown rendzinas

Humic rendzinas

Brown calcareous soils

Humic calcareous soils

Brown magnesian soils

Humic magnesian soils

Brown earths

Brown podzolic soils

Humus podzols

Humus-iron podzols

Iron podzols
Peaty podzols

Peaty gleyed podzols

Subalpine podzols
Alpine podzols

Saline gleys

Calcareous gleys

Magnesian gleys
Noncalcareous gleys

Humic gleys

Peaty gleys
Subalpine gleys

Alpine gleys

Eutrophic basin peat

Mesotrophic basin peat

Dystrophic basin peat

Eutrophic semi-confined peat

Mesotrophic semi-confined peat

Dystrophic semi-confined peat

Eutrophic blanket peat

Mesotrophic blanket peat

Dystrophic blanket peat

Open cast
Non-open cast

Mine spoil

Quarry spoil

Made up Ground

Warp or polder soils

Buried (mssg) soils
Diagnostic criteria/description/key
distinguishing characteristics

Coherent rock with no soil development.

Lithosols with a thin (<10cm) mineral surface A

horizon.

Lithosols with a thin (<10cm) humose (organic-rich)

surface Ah horizon.

Lithosols with a thin (<10cm) organic surface O or H

horizon.

Magnesian rankers are shallow soils (but > 10cm) with

a high magnesium content directly overlying
ultrabasic rocks or rubble derived from ultrabasic
rocks. These soils have a mineral A surface horizon.

Brown rankers are shallow soils (but > 10cm)

overlying noncalcareous rock or rock rubble with a
mineral A horizon and occasionally a thin weakly
developed B horizon.

Podzolic rankers are shallow soils (but > 10cm)

overlying noncalcareous rock or rock rubble with an
organic-rich surface layer (Ah or H) and a thin weakly
developed grey or dark grey, leached E horizon.

Gley rankers are poorly drained shallow (but > 10cm)

soils overlying noncalcareous rock or rock rubble with
a mineral gleyed Ag horizon and occasionally a thin
weakly developed gleyed Bg horizon
Humic rankers are shallow soils (but > 10cm)
overlying noncalcareous rock or rock rubble with an
organic-rich, humose Ah horizon and occasionally a
thin weakly developed B horizon.

Peaty rankers are shallow soils (but > 10cm) overlying

noncalcareous rock or rock rubble with an organic O
horizon up to 50 cm thick and occasionally a thin
weakly developed B horizon.

Unconsolidated rock rubble which may have some

organic-rich interstitial material.
Unconsolidated beach deposits comprising mainly
pebbles.
Calcareous regosols can often have a weakly
developed mineral A horizon and contains free calcium
carbonate in the parent material which is generally
windblown shelly sand.
Noncalcareous regosols can often have a weakly
developed mineral A horizon and lack free calcium
carbonate in the parent material which is generally
windblown sandy deposits.

Saline alluvial soils are developed on marine and

estuarine alluvium found along shorelines that are
periodically inundated by the sea. They have high
levels of exchangeable sodium and are gleyed.

Mineral alluvial soils are developed on riverine

alluvium found along streams and rivers and have a
mineral A horizon (occasionally an organic-rich Ah
horizon) and, if present, weakly developed subsoil
features though gleying can be prominent in poorly
drained alluvial soils.
Peaty alluvial soils are developed on riverine alluvium
found along streams and rivers and have an organic O
horizon less than 50cm thick. Occasionally the O
horizon is interbedded with freshwater alluvial
deposits. The soils are poorly drained and often have a
high watertable.

Brown rendzinas have a mineral A horizon more than

10cm thick directly overlying coherent limestone rock
or limestone rubble.
Humic rendzinas have an organic-rich or humose Ah
horizon more than 10cm thick directly overlying
coherent limestone rock or limestone rubble.

Brown calcareous soils have a mineral A horizon

merging into a brighter B horizon but show no signs of
translocated sesquioxides over a paler C horizon. The
soils contain carbonate material derived from shell
fragments or rock.

Humic calcareous soils have an organic-rich or humose

Ah horizon merging into a brighter B horizon but show
no signs of translocated sesquioxides over a paler C
horizon. The soils contain carbonate material derived
from shell fragments or rock.
Brown magnesian soils have a high magnesium
content and a mineral A horizon and is generally dark
brown.
Humic magnesian soils have a high magnesium
content and an organic-rich or humose Ah horizon
which is generally dark brown.

Brown earths are free or imperfectly drained soils with

a mineral A horizon overlying weakly developed
brown, reddish brown or yellowish brown subsoils. The
soils are often moderately acidic unless developed on
base-rich parent materials. Where the soils are
affected by periodic waterlogging, the lower horizons
may exhibit gleying (presence of ochreous mottles
and grey patches) and the matrix may be slightly
duller in colour.

Brown podzolic soils are free or imperfectly drained

soils with a mineral A horizon overlying yellowish
brown or strong brown sesquioxide-rich subsoils. The
soils are moderately acidic. Where the soils are
affected by periodic waterlogging, the lower horizons
may exhibit gleying (presence of ochreous mottles
and grey patches) and be slightly duller in colour.
Humus podzols have a pale grey leached E horizon
and a thick dark brown or black Bh horizon beneath an
organic H or organic-rich Ah horizon. The Bh horizon is
formed when organic colloidal material is translocated
down the profile and accumulates in the subsoil. This
material can coat the mineral grains and can result in
the development of a cemented horizon. Where
cultivated, the soils have a brown mineral topsoil.

Humus-iron podzols are generally freely drained and

have surface organic horizons (when not cultivated)
overlying a pale grey leached E horizon. Below the E
horizon there is often a dark brown to black organic-
rich Bh, a strong brown sesquioxide-rich Bs or a
combination of both (Bhs). Some humus-iron podzols
have some degree of waterlogging, generally in the
lower horizons resulting in weak gleying with ochreous
mottling and grey patches. When cultivated the upper
organic layers and the E horizon are rarely present
and there is a surface mineral A horizon instead.

Iron podzols are generally freely drained and have

surface organic horizons (when not cultivated)
overlying a pale grey leached E horizon. Below the E
horizon there is a strong brown sesquioxide-rich Bs
horizon. Some iron podzols have some degree of
waterlogging, generally in the lower horizons resulting
in weak gleying with ochreous mottles and grey
patches. When cultivated the upper organic layers and
the E horizon are rarely present and there is a mineral
A horizon instead. A characteristic feature is the
absence of a dark brown or black Bh horizon below the
the E horizon.
Peaty podzols have an organic surface layer (O or H
horizon) up to 50cm thick overlying a grey, leached E
Horizon. There may be a dark brown to black Bh
horizon where translocated organic matter has
accumulated and a strong brown sesquioxide-rich Bs
or a combination of both (Bhs). Some peaty podzols
may have some degree of waterlogging, generally in
the lower horizons resulting in weak gleying with
ochreous mottling and grey patches.

Peaty gleyed podzols have an organic surface layer (O

horizon) up to 50cm thick overlying a grey, gleyed and
leached Eg Horizon . There may be a dark brown to
black Bh horizon where translocated organic matter
has accumulated above an iron pan (Bf). This pan is
often continuous and restricts the percolation of water
resulting in waterlogging of the upper horizons. Below
this pan there is often a strong brown sesquioxide-rich
Bs which may be weakly developed on base-rich
parent materials. Some peaty gleyed podzols may also
have some degree of waterlogging in the lower
horizons resulting in weak gleying with ochreous
mottles and grey patches, however, the gleying of the
upper layers above the pan is one of the key
diagnostic features.

Subalpine (or Orohemiarctic) podzols have a surface

organic horizon (O or H) overlying a leached, grey E
horizon which may have high levels of organic matter.
Below the E there is often a dark brown to black
organic-rich Bh horizon. The iron pan is generally
weakly developed and discontinuous and the
underlying sesquioxide-enriched Bs horizon is often
thin and weakly developed. These soils occur in
exposed sites where the upper layers are often
affected by freeze-thaw processes resulting in a more
porous and loose soil structure.
Alpine (or Oroarctic) podzols have either a surface
organic horizon (H) or an organic-rich mineral Ah
horizon. There is generally a grey leached E horizon
underlying the H but is generally absent where the
surface horizon is mineral. There is often a dark brown
to black organic-rich Bh horizon where small stones
are often coated with colloidal organic material. Below
the Bh there can be a weakly developed dark reddish
brown Bs horizon. The soil is greatly affected by
freeze-thaw processes resulting in a more porous and
loose soil structure throughout, particularly at high
altitudes.

Saline gleys have high contents of exchangeable

sodium and magnesium. The horizons generally
consist of a thin organic O horizon or a greyish brown
mineral Ag horizon (indicating strong gleying). Below
these horizons there is often a grey or brownish grey
gleyed horizon (Eg) overlying a gleyed Bg horizon
which often has strongly developed prismatic or
columnar structure with organic staining on the ped
faces.

Calcareous gleys contain free calcium carbonate in the

gleyed subsoils (Bg and Cg horizons) and have a
mineral Ag horizon.

Magnesian gleys have high levels of magnesium and

the surface horizon (A or Ah) is often dark brown in
colour and can have high levels of organic matter. The
subsoils are gleyed (Bg and Cg horizons).
Noncalcareous gleys have no free calcium carbonate
in the upper horizons of the profile. There is often a
gleyed pale grey Eg horizon below a mineral Ag
horizon. The Eg horizon is often well defined in semi-
natural soils but may be absent in cultivated soils.
Below the Eg there are gleyed subsoil horizons (Bg
and Cg). Where the gleying is more intense in the Bg
horizon than the Cg, then the soils are generally more
affected by poor drainage of surface water but in
those soils where the Cg is more intensely gleyed
(grey and bluish grey colours can be present), then
the soils are more likely to be affected by fluctuating
groundwater.

Humic gleys have no free calcium carbonate in the

upper horizons of the profile. There is often a gleyed
pale grey Eg horizon below a gleyed organic-rich,
humose Ahg horizon. This Eg horizon is often well
defined in semi-natural soils but may be absent in the
rare cases where these soils are cultivated. Below the
Eg there are gleyed subsoil horizons (Bg and Cg).
Where the gleying is more intense in the Bg horizon
than the Cg, then the soils are generally more affected
by poor drainage of surface water but in those soils
where the Cg is more intensely gleyed (grey and
bluish grey colours can be present), then the soils are
more likely to be affected by fluctuating groundwater.

Peaty gleys have no free calcium carbonate in the

upper horizons of the profile. There is often a gleyed
pale grey Eg horizon below an organic O horizon
(which is less than 50cm thick). Below the Eg there are
gleyed subsoil horizons (Bg and Cg). Where the
gleying is more intense in the Bg horizon than the Cg,
then the soils are generally more affected by poor
drainage of surface water but in those soils where the
Cg is more intensely gleyed (grey and bluish grey
colours can be present), then the soils are more likely
to be affected by fluctuating groundwater.
Subalpine (or Orohemiarctic) gleys have an organic
surface O horizon which is affected by freeze/thaw
processes and is often well aerated and 'fluffy'. The
soils are further characterised by wet subsoils and are
predominantly affected by localised, shallow
groundwater (eg water held in rock-based hollows).

Alpine (or Oroarctic) gleys have an organic-rich

surface horizon (O or Ah) and gleyed subsoils. The soil
fabric is generally loose due to freeze/thaw processes
and the subsoil waterlogging is generally due to
localised ponded, shallow groundwater in rock-based
hollows.

Eutrophic basin peat forms in topgraphic basins and is

fed by waters that are rich in minerals. These peats
support a wide range of plant species.

Mesotrophic basin peat forms in topgraphic basins and

is fed by waters that are moderately rich in minerals.
These peats usually supports a natural cover of plant
communities with a high proportion of grasses and
herbs.

Dystrophic basin peat forms in topgraphic basins and

is fed by waters that are poor in minerals. These peats
usually supports vegetation communities dominated
by heathers and nutrient -poor grasses. Where the bog
has risen to the extent that the groundwater has little
influence, the dominant vegetation community is
heathland.
Eutrophic semi-confined peat is fed by waters that are
rich in minerals and support a wide range of plant
species.
Mesotrophic semi-confined peat is fed by waters that
are moderately rich in minerals and usually supports a
natural cover of plant communities with a high
proportion of grasses and herbs.

Dystrophic semi-confined peat is fed by waters that

are poor in minerals and usually supports vegetation
communities dominated by heathers and nutrient
-poor grasses.

Eutrophic blanket peat occurs around spring lines that

are rich in minerals and support a wide range of plant
species.
Mesotrophic blanket peat occurs around spring lines
that are moderately rich in minerals and usually
supports a wide range of plant species with a high
proportion of grasses and herbs.

Dystrophic blanket peat is largely rain-fed and

mineral-poor and usually supports vegetation
communities dominated by heathers and nutrient
-poor grasses.

Open cast is where coal or other minerals have been

extracted and the soil at the site reinstated, generally
by using the original soil material. This material often
undergoes various processes during the removal,
storage and replacement resulting in a severely
altered soil profile.
Non-open cast soils are any other reinstated soil eg
waste tips. This material often undergoes various
processes during the reinstatement process resulting
in a severely altered soil profile.

Mine spoil is subject to soil forming processes such as

leaching and accumulation of soil carbon but can also
be potentially toxic to plants.

Quarry spoil is subject to soil forming processes such

as leaching and accumulation of soil carbon.

Made up ground comprises any major terrestrial land

modification using natural materials or reclamation of
coastal areas for non biomass production.

Warp or polder soils develop on land reclaimed from

estuarine or marine sediments and intended for
biomass production.
Buried soils are found in archaeological sites where
natural processes through time have deposited and
accumulated material above, where material has been
deliberately placed on land by humans or where mass
movement episodes deposit material on top of an
existing soil profile. Often the soil profile beneath the
overlying material still retains its original morphology
and can be classified as such.
Simplified description

Shallow soils with rock <10 cm from the surface.

Bare rock.

Well drained shallow soils (<10cm) with a brown mineral topsoil.

Well drained shallow soils (<10cm) with an organic-rich (humose)

mineral topsoil.

Shallow (<10cm), wet soils with an organic surface layer.

Shallow soils with rock near the surface.

Shallow soils with a mineral topsoil which is rich in magnesium on

to rock.

Shallow soils with a brown coloured mineral topsoil on to rock.

Shallow soils with an organic or organic-rich (humose) surface

layer overlying a thin, grey, leached layer on to rock.

Shallow wet soils with a mineral topsoil over a thin weakly

developed subsoil on to rock.
Shallow soils with an organic-rich (humose) surface layer
overlying a weakly developed, thin subsoil on to rock.

Shallow wet soils with an organic surface layer <50cm thick

overlying a weakly developed, wet subsoil on to rock.

Well drained, weakly developed soils often with a mineral topsoil

and no distinct layering in the subsoil.
Broken rock fragments.

Pebbles.

Well drained, shelly and sandy soils often with a mineral topsoil
and no distinct layering in the subsoil.

Well drained, weakly developed sandy soils often with a mineral

topsoil and no distinct layering in the subsoil.

Weakly developed soils developed in recent river, estuarine or

marine deposits.
Soils developed on marine or estuarine deposits periodically
inundated by salt water.

Soils developed in recent river deposits with either an organic-rich

(humose) or mineral topsoil. These soil have a wide range of
draining conditions from brightly coloured, well drained to wet
soils with dull colours and rust-coloured flecks.
Soil developed in recent river deposits with a peaty surface layer
or a series of buried organic layers.

Shallow calcareous soils developed on limestone rock.

Well drained soils with bright colours and a brown mineral topsoil
high in calcium with calcareous rock close to the surface.

Well drained soils with bright colours and an organic-rich

(humose) mineral topsoil high in calcium with calcareous rock
close to the surface.

Soils with a high level of calcium.

Well drained generally sandy soils (often shell fragments) with a
brown mineral topsoil and brightly coloured subsoil.

Well drained generally sandy soils (often shell fragments) with an

organic-rich (humose) mineral topsoil and brightly coloured
subsoil.
Soils with a high level of magnesium.
Well drained soils which are high in magnesium and have a brown
to dark brown mineral topsoil.

Well drained soils which are high in magnesium and have an

organic-rich (humose) topsoil.

Moderately acid soils with brown mineral topsoils and brown or

yellowish brown subsoils.
Moderately acid soils with brown mineral topsoils and brown or
yellowish brown subsoils where freely drained but where less well
drained the soils are duller and subsoils have rust-coloured flecks
or grey patches.

Moderately acid soils with brown mineral topsoils and orange-

brown subsoils where freely drained but where less well drained
the soils are duller and subsoils have rust-coloured flecks or grey
patches.

Acid soils with bright, orangey-brown coloured subsoils and/or

dark brown to black, organic rich subsoils.
Well drained acid soils with a dark brown to black organic rich
subsoil.

Well drained acid soils with bright colours and a thin organic
surface layer overlying a grey subsoil layer when not cultivated
otherwise the soil has a mineral topsoil. The deeper subsoil is
often orangey-brown and/or dark brown and occasionally, when
the soil is less well-drained, there are some rust-coloured flecks in
the subsoils.

Well drained soils with bright colours and a thin organic surface
layer when not cultivated otherwise, the soil has a mineral topsoil
where cultivated. The subsoil is often orangey-brown and
occasionally, where the soil is less well drained, there are some
rust-coloured flecks and grey patches in the subsoils.
Well drained acid soils with bright colours and an organic surface
layer. The subsoil is often orangey-brown with dark brown or black
organic-rich patches and occasionally, where the soil is less well
drained, there are some rust-coloured flecks in the subsoils.

Acid soils with a wet peaty surface layer overlying a wet, greyish
subsoil. These soils often have a thin iron -pan which restricts the
flow of water deeper into the soil.

Soils with a thin peaty surface layer often with greyish subsoil
layer over bright orangey-brown subsoil and found in exposed
sites.
Well drained soils of high mountain tops and severely exposed
sites, weakly developed layering and very loose.

Soils that are periodically or permanently waterlogged.

Wet soils affected by salt spray with a mineral or thin organic
topsoil.

Wet soils with high levels of calcium carbonate and a mineral

topsoil.

Wet soils with a high level of magnesium and a mineral topsoil.

Wet soils with mineral topsoil.

Wet soils with an organic-rich (humose) topsoil.

Wet soils with an organic (peaty) surface layer.

Wet mountain soils with loose upper layers due to periodic
freezing.

Wet mountain soils that are quite loose due to periodic freezing.

Poorly drained lowland peat soils with no mineral layer within 50

cm of the surface.
Poorly drained, nutrient rich lowland peat soils with no mineral
layer within 50 cm of the surface.

Poorly drained lowland peat soils with no mineral layer within 50

cm of the surface and moderately nutrient rich.

Poorly drained acidic and nutrient poor lowland peat soils with no
mineral layer within 50 cm of the surface.
Poorly drained partly confined peat soils with no mineral layer
within 50 cm of the surface.
Poorly drained, partly confined, nutrient-rich peat soils with no
mineral layer within 50 cm of the surface.

Poorly drained partly confined peat soils with no mineral layer

within 50 cm of the surface and moderately nutrient rich.

Poorly drained partly confined, acidic and nutrient poor peat soils
with no mineral layer within 50 cm of the surface.

Poorly drained upland blanket peat soils with no mineral layer or

rock with 50 cm of the surface.
Poorly drained, nutrient rich upland blanket peat soils with no
mineral layer within 50 cm of the surface.

Poorly drained upland peat soils with no mineral layer within 50

cm of the surface and moderately nutrient rich.

Poorly drained, acid, nutrient poor upland blanket peat soils with
no mineral layer within 50 cm of the surface.

Soils which have been restored after a previous and usually

disruptive land use.
Reinstated, man-made soils over former open cast mines.
Reinstated, man-made soils over other than former open cast
mines.

Current spoil heaps from past or present mineral extraction.

Mine spoil heaps.

Quarry spoil heaps.

Man made soils.

Made up group primarily for buildings or construction yards.

Land reclaimed from estuaries or the sea specifically for growing

plants.
Buried soils where a well developed soil profile has been
deliberately buried by man or by natural processes.