Productivity Ratings Based on Soil Series: A Methodological Critique

Most regional maps of soil productivity are based on the erroneous assumption that the soil series, the fundamental taxonomic unit, is also a homogeneous unit of productivity with consistent and predictable yields when compared with other series. This assumption may lead to significant errors in estimates of potential productivity, with profound implications for prime-land delimitation, tax assessment, zoning administration, and other policies that presently rely on published soil productivity ratings.