Land Capability Class (Nonirrigated)—South Carolina (2009)

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service

Land capability classification shows, in a general way, the suitability of soils for most kinds of field crops. Crops that require special management are excluded. The soils are grouped according to their limitations for field crops, the risk of damage if they are used for crops, and the way they respond to management.

The criteria used in grouping the soils do not include major and generally expensive landforming that would change slope, depth, or other characteristics of the soils, nor do they include possible but unlikely major reclamation projects. Capability classification is not a substitute for interpretations that show suitability and limitations of groups of soils for rangeland, for woodland, or for engineering purposes.

In the capability system, soils are generally grouped at three levels—capability class, subclass, and unit. Only class and subclass are included in this dataset.

Capability classes, the broadest groups, are designated by the numbers 1 through 8. The numbers indicate progressively greater limitations and narrower choices for practical use. For example, class 1 soils have few limitations that restrict their use, while class 8 soils and miscellaneous areas have limitations that preclude commercial plant production and that restrict their use to recreational purposes, wildlife habitat, watershed, or aesthetic purposes. Water bodies and other nonsoil areas are shown as pale blue.

Courtesy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service.

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